Appointment of Deputy Election Commissioners in ECI: Roles and Functions

Know the appointment process, eligibility, key functions and responsibilities of Deputy Election Commissioners in the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Table of Contents

Context

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed Prakash Rajpurohit, a 2010-batch Rajasthan-cadre IAS officer, as Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) until 8 April 2030.

About Deputy Election Commissioners

Role: Senior civil servants who assist the Election Commission of India (ECI) in managing its administrative and operational functions.
Rank: Typically Joint Secretary (Level 14) or Additional Secretary (Level 15).
Appointment: Processed under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) through the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), with final approval by the ACC.

Appointment Process

Offer List: DoPT obtains nominations of eligible and willing officers from State Chief Secretaries and cadre-controlling authorities.
Screening: The Civil Services Board (CSB) evaluates candidates and recommends panels.
Final Approval: The ACC, headed by the Prime Minister, approves appointments at Joint Secretary level and above.

Key Functions

Electoral Rolls: Supervises revision and updating of voter lists, including Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Technology: Oversees digital systems such as ERONET for electoral roll management and voter services.
Election Management: Coordinates election planning, implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and training of polling personnel.
Administration: Handles legal, financial, personnel and logistical coordination.
Coordination: Liaises with Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of States/UTs and relevant government agencies.