Ashok Kumar named Delhi’s new chief poll officer
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday appointed senior IAS officer Ashok Kumar, a 2006-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, as the new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, replacing R Alice Vaz.
She was asked to continue as the Delhi CEO till a new officer was appointed. The ECI said Kumar has to assume his new charge “immediately”, and the Delhi Government has to send a compliance report to the Commission within a week. Kumar was selected from a panel of three officers.
The Commission conveyed its decision to the Chief Secretary of the Government of NCT of Delhi through a formal communication dated February 9, directing that the newly appointed officer take charge immediately.
Principal Secretary, ECI, Rahul Sharma, informed Delhi Chief Secretary Rajeev Varma about Ashok Kumar's appointment in an official letter on Monday.
In January, the poll panel asked the Delhi government to furnish a panel of three IAS officers to select the CEO. Ashok Kumar was one of the three officers whose names were sent to the ECI by the Rekha Gupta government.
According to the notification issued under Section 13A (1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, Ashok Kumar will serve as the CEO of Delhi until further orders. He will take over the role from R Alice Vaz, who has been relieved of the charge.
The appointment comes at a crucial time as the Election Commission continues preparations for upcoming electoral exercises in the national Capital, including periodic revisions of electoral rolls and strengthening of election management systems.
The Chief Electoral Officer plays a key role in overseeing the conduct of elections, ensuring adherence to the Model Code of Conduct, and coordinating with district election machinery.
Officials said the CEO’s office is responsible for implementing the directions of the Election Commission at the state level and acts as the nodal authority for all election-related work in Delhi.
The role also involves coordination with political parties, security agencies, and civil administration to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections.
