The Principal Secretary to the Tourism, Devasthanam Management and Civil Aviation & Pilgrimage, and Industries & Mines Department of Gujarat – IAS Hareet Shukla has been transferred as Gujarat’s next Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

He will succeed IAS Ponugumatla Barathi (P Barathi) who led the recent Lok Sabha elections and bye-elections of Gujarat’s five constituencies.

Shukla will also be the Ex-Officio Principal Secretary to the government, General Administration Department (GAS, election).

Notably, Shukla was promoted to the rank of principal secretary to the government to continue functioning in the industries and mines department in January 2024.

The CEO of a state ensures fair, transparent, and efficient conduct of elections within a state. 

The CEO oversees the entire electoral process within the state, from the preparation of electoral rolls (voter lists) to the conduct of elections and the declaration of results.

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