Chief Electoral Officer
Also called: CEO · Topic: Elections and the Electoral System · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 3 "Election and Representation"
Meaning
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) is the senior election official of a state or Union territory. The Election Commission of India appoints the CEO after consulting the state government. The CEO supervises all election work in the state, including preparing and updating electoral rolls (voters' lists). The CEO works under the ECI's overall control, so the ECI's orders reach every district through this office.
Example
In a state assembly election, the state's CEO coordinates the District Election Officers. The CEO also oversees roll revision and reports to the ECI on how polling is being organised across the state.
Don't confuse with
- Chief Election Commissioner (CEC): the CEC heads the Election Commission of India at the national level. The CEO is a state-level officer who works under the ECI.
- State Election Commissioner: heads the State Election Commission, which runs panchayat and municipal polls. The CEO handles only Parliament and assembly elections.
Related concepts
- Mohinder Singh Gill case
- Gujarat election reference
- District Election Officer
- Returning Officer
- Presiding Officer
- Election observers