Pankaj Agarwal, Who Oversaw Peaceful 2024 Elections, Transferred to Agriculture Department
In a significant administrative move, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed senior IAS officer A Sreenivas (IAS:2004:HY) as Haryana’s new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). He succeeds Pankaj Agarwal (IAS:2000:HY), who has been reassigned as Principal Secretary of the Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department.
The ECI officially notified the Haryana Chief Secretary of the appointment via a letter dated June 16, 2025.
Selection Process and Background
Sreenivas, currently serving as Secretary of the Energy Department and Managing Director of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd., was selected from a shortlist of three senior IAS officers recommended by the Haryana government. The other candidates included:
Atul Kumar (IAS:2007:HY) – Transport Commissioner and Secretary, Transport Department
Dusmanta Kumar Behera (IAS:2007:HY) – Secretary, Development & Panchayats Department, and Director General of Industries & Commerce and MSME
As the senior-most officer on the list, Sreenivas was chosen by the ECI to lead the critical role of managing electoral operations in the state.
Outgoing CEO Lauded for 2024 Election Management
Pankaj Agarwal, who served as CEO since July 2024, received widespread praise for ensuring a smooth and peaceful Haryana Assembly Election held on October 5, 2024. His leadership was acknowledged by political parties and civil society groups for maintaining a fair and transparent electoral process.
Following a major IAS reshuffle on June 12, 2025, which affected 31 senior officers in Haryana, Agarwal was appointed Principal Secretary of the Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department.
What’s Next for the New CEO?
As the incoming CEO, A Sreenivas will be responsible for voter registration, election planning, liaising with political parties, and enforcing the Model Code of Conduct. His extensive experience in energy distribution and public administration is expected to be valuable in this pivotal democratic role.
