Sanjiv Kumar new Chief Electoral Officer of poll-bound Karnataka

With less than six months left for the Assembly elections, Karnataka has got a new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

On Thursday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the nomination of IAS officer Sanjiv Kumar as the CEO for Karnataka with immediate effect.

Kumar will replace IAS officer Anil Kumar Jha, who has been serving as the CEO for the last five years.

The ECI has nominated Kumar in consultation with the state government, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 13A of the Representation of People Act, 1950.

According to sources, the change comes at the behest of Jha, who had requested for a transfer in the month of April. Following the request, the state government sent a list of three senior officers to the ECI, which zeroed in on Kumar.

A 1986 batch officer, Kumar is presently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood. Kumar is said to assume charge as CEO in a day or two.

Kumar told DH that he was looking forward to taking up the new challenge. "It is going to be quite challenging. I will work without fear and favour, and ensure that the election laws are followed as it is. I will also work towards ensuring that the elections are conducted peacefully without any complaints. Six months is a sufficient time to prepare for the election," he said.