Election Commission Transferred Around 20 Chief Electoral Officers Since Gyanesh Kumar Took Charge

The Election Commission has transferred around 18 to 20 Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) across states and Union Territories since February 2025, when Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar took charge, amid a nationwide political controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The reshuffle, spanning 2025 and 2026, has also involved changes among senior officials, including Deputy Election Commissioners, according to a report. The pace of transfers has drawn attention as the poll panel oversees the voter list revision exercise in several states.

More Transfers in a Shorter Period

Data cited in the report show that around 18 to 20 Chief Electoral Officers were transferred during the first 20 months of Kumar’s tenure.

During the nearly 33-month tenure of former Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, from May 2022 to February 2025, around 23 CEOs were transferred. That period included the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

In the preceding 41 months, under former Chief Election Commissioners Sunil Arora and Sushil Chandra, around 29 Chief Electoral Officers were transferred. That period also covered Lok Sabha elections.

The figures indicate a faster pace of transfers in 2025 and 2026 compared with the preceding tenures, although changes in electoral administration are not unusual during election cycles.

Several Officers Replaced Before Completing Three Years

The Election Commission generally seeks continuity in the post of Chief Electoral Officer, with a three-year tenure often serving as a benchmark. However, the report said at least seven of the officers transferred recently had spent less than two years in the position.

Eight to nine states and Union Territories saw changes in their Chief Electoral Officers in 2025. At least 10 further transfers had taken place in 2026, according to the report.

The turnover has coincided with the Commission's voter roll revision exercise, which has triggered political disputes over the process, its implementation and its potential impact on voters.

Bihar Was the First State to See a Change

The latest round of transfers began in Bihar in 2025, the first state to undertake the SIR exercise, according to the report.

In April 2025, Vinod Singh Gunjial took over as Bihar’s Chief Electoral Officer, replacing H.R. Srinivas. The changes subsequently extended to other states and Union Territories.

The sequence of reported appointments was as follows:

• April 2025: Vinod Singh Gunjial replaced H.R. Srinivas in Bihar.
• May 2025: Chief Electoral Officers were changed in Nagaland and Chhattisgarh.
• June 2025: Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana appointed new Chief Electoral Officers.
• July 2025: Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka appointed new officers.
• August 2025: New officers took charge in Manipur and Ladakh.
• Late 2025: The Chief Electoral Officer of Lakshadweep was transferred shortly before the second phase of SIR began.

The changes continued into 2026, with the total number of transfers reaching around 18 to 20 since Kumar assumed office, according to the report.