Sunil Arora replaces OP Rawat as new Chief Election Commissioner
Sunil Arora has been appointed as new Chief Election Commissioner by President Ram Nath Kovind. Arora will take charge on December 2. The post is currently held by OP Rawat, who was appointed in September 2017 after the retirement of CEC Nasim Zaidi. Arora is a 1980 batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre and was the top bureaucrat in the I&B Ministry.
Arora has a commendable resume
Apart from holding an important position in I&B Ministry, Arora has also worked in ministries like Finance and Textiles. He has also been associated with Planning Commission and held the position of CMD of Indian Airlines for five years. From 2005 to 2008, Arora was the principal secretary of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje. He was seen as one of her most trusted officers.
Arora will oversee the general elections of 2019
Arora will hold the top post of the poll body for two and a half years. The general elections of 2019 will happen in his tenure. His appointment comes at a time when five states, namely Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, and Telangana, are up for polls. The result of the polls, crucial for all parties, will be declared on December 11.
