Rajiv Kumar | |
---|---|
25th Chief Election Commissioner of India | |
Assumed office 15 May 2022[1] | |
Preceded by | Sushil Chandra |
Election Commissioner of India | |
In office 1 September 2020 – 14 May 2022 | |
Preceded by | Ashok Lavasa |
Succeeded by | Arun Goel |
Finance Secretary of India | |
In office 1 August 2019 – 29 February 2020 | |
Preceded by | Subhash Chandra Garg |
Succeeded by | Ajay Bhushan Pandey |
Personal details | |
Born | 19 February 1960 |
Occupation | Retd. Indian Administrative ServiceOfficer |
Rajiv Kumar (born 19 February 1960) is a former Indian Administrative Service officer.[2][3] On 15 May 2022, he assumed the charge as the 25th Chief Election Commissioner of India,[4][5] succeeding Sushil Chandra.[6][7]
Early life
Rajiv Kumar was born on February 19, 1960, he holds degrees in BSc, LLB, PGDM, and a master's degree in public policy. Rajiv completed his LLB from Delhi University between 1979 and 1982 and he is also an alumnus of the TERI School of Advanced Studies.
Career
Rajiv Kumar is an Indian Administrative Service officer of the Bihar/Jharkhand cadre of the 1984 batch. As the director and joint secretary in the Tribal Affairs Ministry between 2001 and 2007, Kumar drafted the Scheduled Tribes (Reorganisation of Forests Rights) Bill, 2005. It was under his supervision that the Special Central Assistance to States and Grants under Art. 275(1) of the Constitution was granted for the development of scheduled and tribal areas.
Rajiv Kumar has also held other positions such as director for the Central Board of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), SBI, and NABARD. He has also been a member of the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC), Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC), Bank Board Bureau (BBB) and Financial Sector Regulatory Appointments Search Committee (FSRASC). He held the post of finance secretary between September 2017 and February 2020. During his tenure, he undertook several banking, insurance, and pension reforms. Kumar has been instrumental in streamlining the National Pension System (NPS) which extends its benefits to about 18 lakh central government employees. He superannuated from service in February 2020 and later he held the post of chairman of the Public Enterprises Selection Board since April 2020 before being appointed as the Election Commissioner of India on September 1, 2020.
As Finance Secretary-cum-Secretary, Department of Financial Services to GOI, (Sept 2017 - Feb 2020), Kumar supervised the financial services sector and was instrumental in introducing inter-alia major initiatives/reforms in Banking, Insurance & Pension sector.[8][9] Kumar was also instrumental in conceiving and implementing mega-mergers of Banks & acquisitions in the financial sector. He planned and implemented an unprecedented recapitalization program for PSBs[10] amounting to Rs. 2.11 lakh crore to support capital adequacy of PSBs and prevent default. He is credited with the turnaround of the Banking Sector and establishing in a short span that lenders and borrowers have to stick to prudential norms of lending. To curb the circulation of black money in a layered fashion, Kumar had frozen bank accounts of ~3.38 lakh shell companies used for creating fictitious equity. Streamlining of National Pension System (NPS) was also affected, benefitting approximately 18 lakh Central Government employees including enhancement of mandatory contribution by the Central Government.[11]
25th Chief Election Commissioner
Taking Office
Rajiv Kumar was appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC) on May 15, 2022.[12] His term will end in February 2025.[13] After assuming charge, Kumar trekked for 18 km through inaccessible terrain[14] to visit an interior polling station in Dumak village[15] in Chamoli, Uttarakhand. He assessed the polling requirements and motivated polling officials, who travel through tough terrains during elections.[16]
Kumar, in a rare gesture and mark of gratitude for the first voter of independent India and Himachal’s pride Shri Shyam Saran Negi’s democratic values, ethos and contribution, visited Kalpa, native village of Shri Negi soon after his demise.[17][18] Shri Shyam Saran Negi died at the age of 106 years, three days after casting his vote for the 34th time in the Himachal Pradesh Elections 2022 through home voting facility at his native place in Kalpa, Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. Kumar met his bereaved family in person and paid floral tributes.[19][20][21] During his conversation with family members, Shri Negi’s son recalled a gratitude letter written by Kumar to all centenarian voters across the country.
Taking forward ECI’s commitment to an inclusive and accessible environment, CEC Kumar felicitated the Indian Deaf Cricket Team at Nirvachan Sadan on International Day of Persons with Disabilities.[22] The meeting reaffirmed ECI's commitment to mainstream and deeply embed the concept and practice of accessibility in ensuring a new normal of enabling environment in the entire election process ecosystem from registration to voting.
Ensuring compliance and transparency in affairs related to political parties
Soon after Rajiv Kumar took charge as the CEC of India, he pro-actively pursued the cleaning up of political space by utilising the available statutory space in the RP Act, 1951. Earlier, in May 2022, noticing certain instances of serious financial impropriety in cases of few Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs), action was taken against a total 537 RUPPs. ECI delisted 284 RUPPs and 253 other RUPPs were declared inactive. [23][24][25]
Under his leadership, a meeting of all Recognized National and State Political Parties was also organized by the Election Commission in January 2023 to discuss the issue of enhancing voter participation in the electoral process.[26][27] Representatives of National and State Recognised Political Parties attended the full-day discussion session on January 16, 2023. A concept paper on “Improving Voter Participation of Domestic Migrants Using Remote Voting” was also shared by the Election Commission with all National and State political parties.[28][29][30]
Presidential- Vice Presidential Elections
Kumar successfully conducted 16th Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections in 2022.[31][32] Droupadi Murmu and Jagdeep Dhankar were respectively elected as the President and the Vice-President of India.[33][34][35][36]
State Assembly Elections
Kumar, in his tenure, successfully led the conduct of assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh in November–December 2022, three Northeastern States - Tripura,[37][38][39] Nagaland and Meghalaya[40][41] in February 2023, followed by elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana in November 2023.[42][43] Meticulous planning and exhaustive reviews by the Commission led by Rajiv Kumar ensured violence-free, fair, accessible and inclusive elections in the five states.[44][45] There were no repolls in the election to the State Assembly of Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Tripura and Meghalaya while repoll in four polling stations in Nagaland[46] were held due to local and human factors. Under his leadership, in the last six state elections in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura,[47] and Karnataka where record seizures amounting to over Rs. 14000 crores had happened to ensure an inducement free elections.[48][49][50] This was an almost 11-fold increase from previous elections in 2017 & 2018 in the five states. In Tripura Elections 2023, for the first time Bru migrant voters were able to exercise their franchise. Special efforts were undertaken to enrol voters from Bru Community. 14,055 adult members were enrolled in the State in 12 locations highlighting efforts to expand voter participation and strengthen the democratic fabric of the nation. [51] Meticulous planning of the Commission led by CEC Kumar has ensured violence-free, fair, accessible, inclusive and inducement free elections in all the five states so far.
During his tenure as CEC, Kumar has raised prominent issues in electoral participation focusing on urban apathy, youth apathy[52] and participation of domestic migrants. He has actively spoken about addressing these issues on many occasions including media interactions and interaction with students and youth.[53] Kumar led a cycle rally in Pune consisting of nearly 300-400 cyclists to raise voter awareness amongst the youth and the urban population. Similarly, in an attempt to address issues related to urban apathy and youth apathy, an election hackathon ‘Electhon 23’ was launched in Bengaluru in March 2023 ahead of the Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023 ,in an endeavor to engage the young professionals and knowledge industry. The initiative has been to seek ideas and solutions on measures to increase the participation of urban and young voters in the elections, boost voter turnout on the election day and registration of voters in the electoral roll.[54][55] While launching the national level Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls 2023 from Pune,[56] he had also emphasized on an inclusive & healthy electoral roll with special focus inclusion of Third gender voters and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).[57]
International Cooperation
Further, under Kumar’s guidance, the Election Commission of India led the ‘Cohort on Election Integrity’ under the ‘Summit for Democracy’. ‘Summit for Democracy’, is an initiative of the US President hosted in December 2021.[58][59] As part of the ‘ ‘Cohort on Election Integrity’ , Election Commission of India had organized three International Conferences with Mauritius, Greece & International organization IFES as co-leads. The first Conference on ‘Role, Framework & Capacity of EMBs’ was organized on October 31- November 1, 2022 in New Delhi. EMBs from Armenia, Mauritius, Nepal, Cabo Verde, Australia, Chile, Federal States of Micronesia, Greece, Philippines, São Tomé & Príncipe and three international organizations namely, IFES, International IDEA and UNDP India participated in the conference.[60] Excellencies, Ambassadors/High Commissioners and other members of the Diplomatic Corps from Costa Rica, Ghana, Jamaica, Albania, Nepal, Greece, Montenegro, Spain also attended the two day Conference. Ms. Elizabeth Jones, the then Charge d’Affaires, ad interim at US Embassy in New Delhi also attended the Conference.
ECI, as the lead, also committed to also provide training and capacity-building programmes to Election Management Bodies (EMBs) across the world and provide technical consultancy as per the needs of other EMBs.
The 2nd International Conference on ‘Use of Technology and Elections Integrity’ which was organized in January 2023 in New Delhi was joined by Representatives from 16 EMBs & Countries. Heads/Dy Heads of 9 EMBs and IFES participated in the Conference.[61][62]
In these two conferences, Kumar flagged threats from deep fake narratives to elections worldwide.[63][64] On pressing challenges before the Election Management Bodies, Kumar stressed on the impact of new media, especially social media as an interaction with EMB's functioning. He highlighted the disturbing trend of deep fake narratives,[65] which has become a common feature in elections worldwide, where disruptive elements attempt to alter public perception and mislead the user by repetitively presenting the deep fakes as "fact".[66][67][68] Kumar stressed that social media intermediaries, through their algorithm power and AI, can detect deep fakes proactively,[69] especially in jurisdictions like India, where electoral cycles are definite and well-announced.[70][71][72] He emphasized that early red flagging of fake news based on known modus operandi and genres and a proactive approach to counter fake news will facilitate credible electoral outcomes that will help preserve the ‘freedoms’, which the social media platforms require to thrive.[73][74][75] The third Conference on ‘Inclusive Elections and Elections Integrity’ organized virtually in March 2023.
Kumar chaired the Extraordinary meeting of the Executive Board of the Association of World Election Bodies at Cape Town, South Africa in October 2022 during the 5th General Assembly meeting of the AWEB at Cape Town.[76][77] During the 5th General Assembly meeting of the AWEB, Kumar handed over the AWEB Flag to the Election Commission of South Africa, the new chair of the AWEB.[78]
Further, Kumar was invited by the Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan to explore avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation[79] on election matters and strengthen the cooperation between the two election management bodies.[80][81] The visit to Bhutan by the Chief Election Commissioner of India has happened almost after a decade.[82] The last visit by a CEC India to Bhutan was in 2013. During the visit, Kumar also called on the Prime Minister of Bhutan H.E Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering who in a tweet thanked CEC Rajiv Kumar for ECIs support and cooperation to the Election Commission of Bhutan that is critical to strengthen their democracy. Both the EMBs discussed further collaboration on Human resource development, research & training and leveraging technological advancements to further strengthen the election management.
ECI through its India International Institute for Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) is also providing capacity building and training support to election officials from EMBs across the globe. Till date around 2500 International participants from 117 countries have benefitted through 122 programs conducted by IIIDEM and has thus created a vast global community for exchange of ideas and knowledge.
With ECI’s increasing stature globally, ECI has been increasingly invited by EMBs in other countries like Uzbekistan, Nepal, Fiji, Maldives, Cambodia, Republic of Zimbabwe, etc. to observe their elections.
ECI has been expanding its links and cooperation with foreign Election Management Bodies (EMBs) through its ‘International Cooperation Programme’. Having signed MoUs with Mexico, Brazil and Chile in the past years, Panama is the fourth MoU signed by ECI with an EMB in the Latin Americas region, with an overall 31 MoUs with EMBs and international organisations across the world.
Delimitation PS and AC in Assam
During his tenure as CEC, Shri Kumar successfully completed another daunting task of delimitation of Parliamentary & Assembly Constituencies of Assam. Through consensus, consultation, and active participation, Shri Kumar along with fellow Commissioners brought together various stakeholders with conflicting viewpoints and interests to the same table, fostering an inclusive, participative and representative approach towards redefining electoral boundaries. Over 1200 representations from 31 districts and 20 political parties heard by the Commission in person at Guwahati. More than 6000 persons participated in the consultative exercise over three days.
International Observer
Kumar was also invited by the Election Commission of Nepal as International Observer for the elections to Nepal’s House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly.[83][84][85] Kumar led a delegation of ECI officials as the State guest in Nepal and visited various polling stations in Kathmandu and other areas.[86] Elections for the Federal and Provincial elections to elect 275 members of the Federal Parliament and 550 seats of the seven Provincial Assemblies in Nepal were held in November, 2022.[87]
13th NVD: ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure’
Under Kumar’s leadership, the 13th National Voters’ Day function on 25 January 2023 was also celebrated grandly throughout the country on the theme ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote for Sure’.[88] At the National level function, the Hon’ble President of India Shrimati Droupadi Murmu graced the occasion. Further, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister for Law & Justice was the Guest of Honour. Minister of State for Law & Justice Professor Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, seven former CECs, over 40 representatives from National & State Political parties, Heads/Deputy Heads of 12 Election Management Bodies, producer for ECI song Subhash Ghai along with celebrity singers, ECI National Icon Pankaj Tripathi and Dr Niru Kumar were also present on the occasion.
Kumar in his address on the 13th National Voters’ Day acknowledged that the biggest asset of the Election Commission of India is the trust gained due to its professional conduct of elections over the years. He elaborated that while electors in India have increased from about 17 crores in 1951 to over 94 crores now and while the voter turnout was the highest ever at 67.4% in 2019 GE, the ECI is committed to motivating the remaining non-voters to come out to the polling station for more inclusive & participative elections.[89]
On the occasion, an ECI song- “Main Bharat Hoon- Hum Bharat Ke Matdata Hain” produced by ECI in association with Subhash Ghai Foundation, was also screened. The song brings forth the power of the vote and celebrates the spirit of inclusive, accessible, ethical, participative and festive elections in the largest and most vibrant democracy of the world.[90]
A pioneering effort to capture glimpses into the historic journey of Presidential Elections in the country, an ECI Publication ‘Electing the First Citizen- An illustrated Chronicle of India’s Presidential Elections’ was also presented to the Hon’ble President by Rajiv Kumar. The book, the first of its kind publication, throws light on the nuances of the Presidential Electoral system and associated constitutional provisions through the timelines of the past 16 Presidential elections.
In the latest, under the guidance of Kumar, ECI recognised Cricket Legend Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar as its "National Icon" to motivate voters for participation in the festival of democracy.[91]
Team 2024
In a first of its kind initiative and in the run up to 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, Commission organised a conference of all State CEOs at LBSNAA Mussoorie in the month of April. The Conference objective was focused discussion on critical themes for smooth and successful conduct of forthcoming 2024 elections also establishing a connect at interpersonal level for easy coordination, understanding and delivery.
References
- ↑ The Hindu (15 May 2022). "Rajiv Kumar takes charge as 25th Chief Election Commissioner, says EC won't shy away from tough calls". Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ↑ "Rajiv Kumar appointed as next Chief Election Commissioner, to take charge on May 15". The Indian Express. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ↑ News9 Staff (12 May 2022). "Rajiv Kumar, India's next CEC, is ex-finance secretary and 1984 batch IAS officer". NEWS9LIVE. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Meet next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar: He hates shell companies and likes trekking in high Himalayas". cnbctv18.com. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ "Rajiv Kumar assumes charge as chief election commissioner". The Economic Times. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ "Rajiv Kumar formally takes over as 25th Chief Election Commissioner". The Times of India. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ↑ "The quintessential consensus builder". Financialexpress. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ Tiwari, Dheeraj. "PSBs' earnings will reflect impact of reforms in next two quarters: Financial Services Secretary". The Economic Times. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ Nair, Remya (15 May 2018). "Won't act against bank chiefs on hearsay: Govt official". mint. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ "PSBs consolidation building block for $5 trillion economy: Finance secretary Rajiv Kumar". The Indian Express. 1 September 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ "The Official Website page of the Election Commission of India".
- ↑ "Rajiv Kumar to be next chief election commissioner". 13 May 2022. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ↑ "Rajiv Kumar assumes charge as India's 25th chief election commissioner". Business Standard India. 15 May 2022. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ↑ Shivani Azad (6 June 2022). "Uttarakhand: Village where chief election commissioner trekked struggling for road connectivity since 15 years | Dehradun News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ "Uttarakhand: Election Commission chief Rajiv Kumar treks 18 km to remote polling booths". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ↑ "CEC Rajiv Kumar Treks 18km Through Uttarakhand's Inaccessible Terrain to Check Polling Requirements". News18. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ↑ The Hindu (5 November 2022). "Shyam Saran Negi, Independent India's first voter, dies in Himachal Pradesh". The Hindu.
- ↑ The Times of India (5 November 2022). "CEC Rajiv Kumar travels to village of 'independent India's first voter' Shyam Saran Negi, pays tributes". The Times of India.
- ↑ The Statesman (5 November 2022). "CEC Rajiv Kumar to attend last rites of Shyam Saran Negi, 'first voter of independent India'". The Statesman.
- ↑ The Print (5 November 2022). "CEC Rajiv Kumar to attend last rites of Shyam Saran Negi, 'first voter of independent India'".
- ↑ Hindustan Times (5 November 2022). "CEC Rajiv Kumar pays rich tribute to India's first voter at his Himachal village".
- ↑ PIB (2 December 2022). "ECI felicitates Indian Deaf Cricket team 'T20 Champions Trophy winners' to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities".
- ↑ Election Commission of India. "Press release". eci.gov.in/.
- ↑ PTI (25 May 2022). "EC tightens noose around registered unrecognised parties flouting rules". ThePrint. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ Livemint (20 June 2022). "For the second time in a month, ECI to delete 111 more 'non-existent' parties". mint. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
- ↑ ECI Press Note (29 December 2022). "ECI ready to pilot remote voting for domestic migrants".
- ↑ ECI Press Note (17 January 2023). "Letter to political Parties on discussion on improving voter participation of domestic migrant using remote voting".
- ↑ Live Hindustan (16 January 2023). "Election Commission show demo of remote electronic voting machine".
- ↑ The Free Press Journal (16 January 2023). "Election Commission showcases remote voting machine for migrant domestic workers".
- ↑ The Indian Express (16 January 2023). "EC demonstrates remote EVM for migrant workers to political parties".
- ↑ "Presidential polls: ECI issues certificate of election to Droupadi Murmu | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. ANI. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ↑ "Presidential poll: EC issues certificate of election to Droupadi Murmu". The Economic Times. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ↑ "Press Release: Election Commission of India".
- ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (7 August 2022). "EC issues certificate of election to 14th Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ↑ "EC issues 'Certification of Election' to next VP Jagdeep Dhankhar | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. ANI. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ↑ "Press Note: Election Commission of India".
- ↑ "Enthusiastic voting continues across 60 ACs in Tripura today".
- ↑ "Tripura election 2023: No major violence reported in poll-bound state, says CEO Gitte".
- ↑ "Tripura 'Votes Out Violence': Polls Incident-free, Turnout about 80%, 25-fold Rise in Seizures, Says ECI".
- ↑ "85% turnout in Nagaland, 77% in Meghalaya as polls end peacefully". The Times of India.
- ↑ "Advance planning, use of technology and strict monitoring ensure largely peaceful elections in Meghalaya & Nagaland".
- ↑ Bureau, The Hindu (9 October 2023). "Election Commission announces polling dates for five States; only Chhattisgarh to vote in two phases".
- ↑ Bhardwaj, Deeksha (9 October 2023). "Election in five states to be held next month".
- ↑ "Press Conference". YouTube.
- ↑ "Press Conference by ECI on GE to Legislative Assembly of Gujarat 2022". YouTube.
- ↑ "Nagaland election: Repoll in 4 polling stations today".
- ↑ Reporter, Observer (17 February 2023). "TRIPURA REGISTERS PEACEFUL POLLS". Tripura Observer. p. 1.
- ↑ "North-East polls: EC makes record seizure in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya".
- ↑ "Massive seizure of drugs reflects tight expenditure vigil in Gujarat Assembly Elections 2022".
- ↑ "Record seizures made during ongoing Assembly Elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh".
- ↑ India Today NE (16 February 2023). "Tripura Assembly Election 2023: Over 14,000 Bru voters to cast their votes for first time".
- ↑ The Times of India (11 March 2023). "Collective effort needed to address voter apathy: CEC". The Times of India.
- ↑ The New Indian Express (11 March 2023). "Urban voters, youth must be motivated: CEC".
- ↑ The Hindu, November 09, 2022. "India has 2.49 lakh voters aged above 100: CEC Rajiv Kumar". The Hindu.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ The Economic Times (10 November 2022). "CEC Rajiv Kumar launches nation-wide Special Summary Revision 2023 through voter awareness campaign in Pune".
- ↑ The Print (9 November 2022). "CEC Rajiv Kumar launches Special Summary Revision 2023 in Pune".
- ↑ Hindustan Times (9 November 2022). "Committee will be set up to increase enlisting of transgenders: CEC".
- ↑ ECI Press Note (31 October 2022). "ECI leads 'Cohort on Election Integrity, with EMBs worldwide".
- ↑ ECI Press Note, Curtain Raiser (29 October 2023). "ECI to host a two day International Conference on 'Role, Framework & Capacity of EMBs' as the lead for the Cohort on 'Election Integrity' as a follow on to the Summit for Democracy".
- ↑ The Print (31 October 2022). "Delhi: ECI hosts conference on 'Role, Framework, Capacity of EMBs'".
- ↑ ECI Press Note (23 January 2023). "ECI hosts second International Conference on 'Use of Technology & Elections Integrity' as a follow on to the Summit for Democracy".
- ↑ ECI Press Note (10 January 2023). "ECI hosts the 3rd International Conference on 'Inclusive Elections and Elections Integrity' as the lead for the Cohort on 'Election Integrity'".
- ↑ The Week (23 January 2023). "CEC Kumar flags threat of 'deep fake narratives' to polls". The Week.
- ↑ "CEC flags threat from deep fake narratives to elections worldwide". Business Standard. 23 January 2023.
- ↑ "Election bodies expect social media sites to proactively flag fake news: CEC Rajiv Kumar". The Indian Express. 1 November 2022.
- ↑ The Times of India (23 January 2023). "CEC Kumar flags threat of 'deep fake narratives' to polls". The Times of India.
- ↑ Live Mint (23 January 2023). "CEC Rajiv Kumar flags threat from deep fake narratives to elections".
- ↑ The Times of India (31 October 2022). "Social media platforms should play proactive role in flagging fake news: CEC Rajiv Kumar". The Times of India.
- ↑ Hindu, The (23 January 2023). "CEC Rajiv Kumar flags threat of 'deep fake narratives' to elections".
- ↑ "CEC stresses on intersection of EMBs functioning with social media". Business Standard. 31 October 2022.
- ↑ The Hindu (31 October 2022). "Election bodies expect social media platforms to use 'algorithm power' to proactively red-flag fake news: CEC". The Hindu.
- ↑ The Indian Express (1 November 2022). "Election bodies expect social media sites to proactively flag fake news: CEC Rajiv Kumar".
- ↑ Hindustan Times (1 November 2022). "Use algorithm power to proactively red flag fake news: CEC Rajiv Kumar".
- ↑ Deccan Herald (31 October 2022). "CEC wants social media platforms to detect fake news faster".
- ↑ Election Commission of India (31 October 2022). "CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar stresses on the challenges of social media and intersection with EMBs functioning" – via Twitter.
- ↑ India A-WEB Centre (21 October 2022). "CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar chaired Extraordinary meeting of the Executive Board of the Association of World Election Bodies at Capetown, South Africa on 18th October,2022".
- ↑ Hindustan Times (19 October 2022). "CEC Rajiv Kumar chairs Association of World Election Bodies meet in South Africa".
- ↑ The Economic Times (19 October 2022). "Need to revisit parameters for assessment of democratic indices used by intl organisations: CEC Rajiv Kumar".
- ↑ The Print (26 April 2023). "CEC visits Bhutan, holds bilateral talks with Bhutanese counterpart".
- ↑ The Indian Express (26 April 2023). "CEC reminds NRIs of their voting rights, discusses collaboration with Bhutan poll body".
- ↑ The Economic Times (27 April 2023). "Indian delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar visits Bhutan".
- ↑ Bharti, Jain (26 April 2023). "In 1st Bhutan visit in 10 years, chief election commissioner ." The Times of India.
- ↑ "CEC Rajiv Kumar invited as international observer for Nepal polls". Business Standard. 17 November 2022.
- ↑ Hindustan Times (17 November 2022). "CEC Rajiv Kumar invited as international observer for Nepal elections".
- ↑ The Hindu (7 November 2022). "CEC Rajiv Kumar invited as international observer as Nepal goes to the polls". The Hindu.
- ↑ The Times of India (18 November 2022). "CEC Rajiv Kumar reaches Kathmandu as international observer for Nepal polls". The Times of India.
- ↑ Press Trust of India, Press Note (17 November 2022). "CEC Shri Rajiv Kumar invited as International Observer for forthcoming Elections in Nepal".
- ↑ ECI Press Note (25 January 2023). "Nation celebrates 13th National Voters' Day".
- ↑ ANI (25 January 2023). "Young voters are future of Indian democracy, says CEC Rajiv Kumar on National Voters' Day".
- ↑ The Indian Express (26 January 2023). "Delhi Confidential: Celebs come together to help EC encourage electors to vote".
- ↑ "Cricket Legend & Bharat Ratna awardee Sachin Tendulkar begins his innings as National Icon for ECI,". Press Information Bureau.