SRINAGAR: The government on Friday formally appointed Pandurang Kondbarao Pole (IAS, AGMUT:2004), as Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir.
“In pursuance of notification No. 154/08K/2022-P.Admn. dated 31.01.2023, issued by the Election Commission of India, Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, IAS (AGMUT:2004), is appointed as Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir,” reads a government order, a copy of which lies with GNS, adding, “Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, IAS shall also be Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Election Department.”
The order comes ten days after ECI designated Pandurang Kondbarao Pole (IAS), Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, as Chief Electoral Officer J&K.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 13A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (43 of 1950), the Election Commission of India in consultation with the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir hereby designates Pandurang Kondbarao Pole, IAS (AGMUT:2004) as the Chief Electoral Officer for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with effect from the date he takes over charge and until further orders in place of Hirdesh Kumar, IAS,” reads an order by ECI issued on December 31.
With his appointment, Pole will cease to hold the charge of all or any charges of work under the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, which was held before the assumption of office that he should be designated Secretary to the Government in charge of the Election Department in the State Secretariat.
The government has already transferred and posted Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, IAS (AGMUT:2005), Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Revenue Department, holding additional charge of Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K Government, New Delhi, as Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir.
