Hours before the enforcement of code of conduct and announcement of Lok Sabha elections, Rakesh Singh, joint chief electoral officer of Madhya Pradesh, has been transferred. He has been replaced by Vivek Shrotriya, a 2012 batch IAS officer, who has been serving as additional managing director MP Tourism Development Board.
Rakesh Singh, 2009 batch IAS, promoted from state civil services, was made joint chief executive officer in May 2023 and played a key role in holding assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. The reasons for his removal is unknown.
Vivek Shrotriya will also will also function as Ex-cadre Additional Secretary, Law and Parliamentary Affairs department (only election related work) while Rakesh Singh, a 2009 batch IAS has been transferred as managing director of Fisheries Federation.
The chief electoral officer (CEO) of Madhya Pradesh is Anupam Rajan, who is a 1993-batch IAS officer.
Madhya Pradesh goes for polls in four phases
The elections in 29 seats of Madhya Pradesh will be held in four phases.
In the first phase on April 19, polls will be held on six seats while in second phase on April 26, seven seats will go for polls. Similarly in the third phase on May 7, eight seats will go for polls while in the fourth phase on May 13, elections will be held on the remaining eight seats.
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