Ahmedabad: Ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Gujarat’s major cities, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed a new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for the state. The post has been entrusted to Sandip Sagale, a 2007-batch IAS officer known for his clean image and efficient administrative record.
Sagale takes over from IAS Harit Shukla, a 1999-batch officer who oversaw the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Gujarat. Shukla’s tenure concluded after successfully completing this crucial exercise. Prior to his new appointment, Sagale was serving as the Director General of the Sports Authority of Gujarat.
Who is Sandip Sagale?
Born on 16 November 1973 in Maharashtra, Sandip Sagale hails from Akola Tehsil in Akola district. A Gujarat cadre IAS officer of the 2007 batch, he has previously held key administrative roles across the state:
- Collector of Ahmedabad, Banaskantha, and Bharuch districts
- Commissioner of Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation
Known for his integrity and transparent work, Sagale has earned a reputation as a diligent and impartial officer, making him a fitting choice to oversee elections in the politically vibrant state.
Responsibilities Ahead
As Gujarat’s new CEO, Sagale will now manage elections in the state’s major urban centers. These municipal polls are widely regarded as the “semi-final” ahead of next year’s assembly elections, making his role particularly significant.
During the recent Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls, 13.4% of entries were removed, totaling 6.812 million deletions. Gujarat’s current voter list now contains 44 million registered voters, and the accurate conduct of these upcoming city elections is critical.
With the BJP currently in power across Gujarat’s major cities, Sandip Sagale’s appointment is expected to ensure a smooth, transparent, and credible electoral process.