Rajiv Kumar joined ECI as Election Commissioner on September 1st, 2020 and assumed charge as the 25th Chief Election Commissioner of India on May 15, 2022. Kumar during his tenure has completed one full electoral cycle with the conduct of elections in 31 States/UTs, the Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections 2022, Lok Sabha elections 2024 and Rajya Sabha renewals — a rare and monumental feat in electoral management. The elections were conducted peacefully with near-zero repolls and incidents of violence. In his farewell address, CEC Rajiv Kumar thanked the 15 million polling officials for their dedication to uphold democratic values. He asserted that the trust of close to nearly a billion voters is unfazed by motivated and uncorroborated attacks on India’s democratic institutions. Kumar also established mechanisms to tackle the challenge of misinformation and fake news on social media platforms. He wrote personalised letters to over 2.5 lakh centenarian voters for their contribution to democracy. He consistently raised and pursued innovative measures like establishment of polling stations in high rise societies to address the rising trend of youth and urban apathy in the election process. He believed every voter, regardless of age or ability, deserved recognition and respect. For an inclusive election, efforts were made to enrol marginalised sections like PVTGs and third genders.
