The Election Commission of India on Friday (09.11.2024) appointed senior IAS officer Archana Patnaik (IAS:2002:TN) as Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu. She replaces Satyabrata Sahoo (IAS:1997:TN), who has been holding the post of CEO since March 2018. Sahoo was recently given additional charge of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department.
ECI notification said, “Archana Patnaik shall cease to hold and hand over forthwith the charge of all or any charges of work under the Tamil Nadu government, which she may be holding before assuming charge as the CEO. She shall not hold any additional charge whatsoever in TN government except that she should be designated Secretary to the government in charge of the Election Department in the State secretariat.”
Patnaik is the first woman IAS officer to hold the post of the CEO. Prior to this, she was serving as Secretary, MSME Department since September.
