Mr. Joshi previously served as Secretary, Personnel in the Government of India, and as Registrar General & Census Commissioner in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
New Delhi: Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch Haryana-cadre IAS officer, has been appointed as the new Election Commissioner, the Law Ministry announced on Monday, February 17, 2025.
With his appointment, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has once again become a three-member body, alongside Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Prakash and Election Commissioner Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. Joshi fills the vacancy left by Rajiv Kumar’s retirement.
A Veteran Administrator with Extensive Experience
Mr. Joshi has a distinguished career in both state and central administration. He has held several key positions, including:
- Chief Secretary of Haryana
- Secretary, Personnel, Government of India
- Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India (Ministry of Home Affairs)
He has been on Central deputation since January 2019, serving in multiple high-profile roles that shaped national governance and administration.
A Long Tenure at the Election Commission
Born on May 21, 1966, Mr. Joshi (58) will serve in the Election Commission until 2031. This means that he is likely to become the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in 2029, just in time for the next Lok Sabha elections, as Gyanesh Prakash is set to retire on January 27, 2029.
Political Controversy Over Appointment
The selection process for the new Election Commissioner has drawn criticism from the opposition. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi submitted written objections during the selection committee meeting on Monday, arguing that the decision should be deferred until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on an ongoing case regarding the composition of the selection panel.
According to Congress sources, Gandhi was not present when the names were being discussed, further fueling debate over the transparency of the selection process.
Selection Process Led by the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of India heads the selection panel, which finalizes appointments to the Election Commission. Despite objections from the opposition, the government proceeded with the selection of Vivek Joshi for the crucial role.
With the Election Commission fully staffed once again, Joshi’s tenure will play a significant role in shaping electoral reforms and overseeing major elections in India over the next few years.
Note: (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by our staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
