Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday appointed 2001-batch IAS Officer R Santhanagopalan as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha.
He will replace Nikunj Bihari Dhal, who last month was appointed Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Mohan Majhi.
The official notification said that Santhanagopalan was picked from a panel of 3 IAS officers suggested by Additional Chief Secretary on July 18. He has been asked to take charge immediately. “A compliance report may be sent within a week,” it added.
Santhanagopalan had earlier served as Secretary, Labour and ESI Department, following his return from central deputation in 2022.
