New Delhi, November 26: In a surprising move, Sunil Arora has been appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India. According to sources, the 1980-batch IAS officer will take charge on December 2 to oversee the Lok Sabha elections of 2019. In September last year, Arora was appointed to the election body. The 62-year-old bureaucrat, also served as the Information and Broadcasting Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat Rejects BJP's 'One Nation One Poll' Proposal, Says 'No Chance At All'

Arora was Secretary to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan during 1993-1998 and had earlier served as Principal Secretary to CM from 2005-2008. Prior to this, he was Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation during 1999-2002. CEC OP Rawat Holds All-Party Meet, Says ‘Problems With EVMs and VVPATs Noted, Will Do Everything to Improve Election Process’

Incumbent CEC Om Prakash Rawat took charge in January this year. His term is scheduled to be expired in December. The appointment of Arora comes at a time when the polls are being held in the five states – Rajasthan, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Chhattisgarh. The result for all these states will be declared on December 11.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2018 10:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).