Present Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal, who heads the poll panel for both the Telugu states, will be retiring on 31st of this month and the two Telugu states will have their own CEOs from the next day. Telangana state government has sent three names to Central Election Commission for selection of the next Chief Electoral Officer of the state.
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Municipal administration secretary Navin Mittal is likely to be picked up. On the other side, Andhra Pradesh Government is yet to take a decision on its choices for the CEO’s post. If the AP government fails to finalize the names, the CEC may appoint an in-charge CEO for Andhra Pradesh until a permanent choice is made.
Bhanwarlal’s retirement will come as a relief to TDP government. Bhanwarlal is alleged to have favored YSR Congress in 2014 elections. TDP officially lodged a complaint on him at that time. Similar allegations have emerged in the recent Nandhyal by-elections as well.
