Maharashtra Appoints Dinesh Waghmare as Chief Election Commissioner
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Synopsis
On January 20, the Maharashtra government appointed Dinesh Waghmare, a senior IAS officer from the 1994 batch, as the Chief Election Commissioner for a five-year term, succeeding U.P.S. Madan. Waghmare’s extensive qualifications and experience position him to oversee crucial upcoming elections across the state.
Key Takeaways
- Dinesh Waghmare appointed as Chief Election Commissioner.
- Five-year term starting January 20.
- Previously held roles in medical education and social justice.
- Waghmare expects local elections by May 2024.
- Independent state Election Commission conducts local elections.
Mumbai, Jan 20 (NationPress) The government of Maharashtra has appointed senior IAS officer Dinesh Waghmare, a member of the 1994 batch, as the Chief Election Commissioner of the state for a duration of five years.
Currently serving as the additional chief secretary in the medical education department, Waghmare's appointment fills the vacancy left by the retirement of U.P.S. Madan in September of the previous year.
The official notification regarding Waghmare’s appointment was issued by the state government on Monday.
During a Cabinet meeting held last Thursday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was empowered to choose the candidate from a list provided by a high-powered committee.
The Chief Minister was also given the authority to recommend the selected candidate to the Governor of Maharashtra.
Prominent candidates for the role included former Mumbai Port Trust chairman Rajiv Jalota and Rajagopal Devara, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning Department.
Waghmare holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur, and a Master of Technology in Computer Science from IIT Kharagpur. He also possesses an M.Sc. in Development & Project Planning from Bradford University in the UK.
He has held significant roles, including principal secretary in departments such as social justice, general administration, and energy.
Waghmare previously served as the chairman and managing director of the Maharashtra State Power Transmission Company.
His appointment is vital as the state government anticipates that local and civic body elections could be conducted by May, pending a Supreme Court decision on related petitions.
The state Election Commission, an independent body established on April 26, 1994, is responsible for conducting local and civic body elections in Maharashtra.
As the state Chief Election Commissioner, Waghmare will oversee the preparation and management of electoral rolls and the execution of elections for various bodies, including zilla parishads, panchayat samitis, gram panchayats, and municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including Mumbai.
Both ruling and opposition parties have already begun their preparations for the upcoming local and civic body elections.
