The Election Commission of India on Wednesday (28.02.2024) appointed S Chockalingam (IAS:1996:MH) as the new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Maharashtra, replacing the current CEO, S M Deshpande (IAS:1991:MH). As per the EC notification, Chockalingam, who is presently serving as the Director General of Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration in Pune, will assume the role of CEO for the state.
The customary procedure involves the Election Commission requesting a list of three names from the state government, from which one individual is designated as the CEO. This appointed official acts as the top representative of the Election Commission in each respective state.