Of the total requests received, nearly 11,200 or 15% were rejected, and 10,819 applications were cancelled as they were invalid or duplicate, the data released by the commission showed. 

A search committee led by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, along with the Home Secretary and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Secretary, will compile two separate panels of five names each for the vacant posts.

“I salute Arun Goel for not succumbing to pressure by Delhi leaders (of BJP) and his top bosses in connection with the West Bengal LS polls and the deployment of forces. It is proven that what they (the BJP-led NDA government) want to do in the name of election. They want to loot votes,” she said, while speaking at a mega rally of the TMC at Brigade Parade Grounds.

His unexpected resignation has cast doubt on the previously anticipated timeline for announcing the Lok Sabha election dates, which were expected to be announced next week.