Lobbying Intensifies for Haryana's Next State Election Commissioner
Chandigarh, April 1, 2025: With the tenure of Haryana's current State Election Commissioner, Dhanpat Singh, set to end on April 9, 2025, intense lobbying has begun among senior IAS officers to secure the prestigious post. As per existing rules, only a serving IAS officer of at least Principal Secretary rank or a retired High Court Judge is eligible for appointment.
The Selection Process and Constitutional Significance
Dhanpat Singh, a retired 1985-batch IAS officer, was appointed to the position in April 2021 by the then BJP-led government under Manohar Lal Khattar. Prior to his appointment, he had retired in April 2020 as Additional Chief Secretary and Finance Commissioner from the Revenue and Disaster Management and Consolidation Department.
According to constitutional expert and Punjab & Haryana High Court advocate Hemant Kumar, the post of State Election Commissioner is a constitutional office established under Articles 243(K) and 243(ZA) of the Indian Constitution. This role was created following the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in 1992-93, mandating that elections to Panchayati Raj and urban municipal institutions be conducted under the supervision of the State Election Commission rather than the state government.
However, despite its significance, Haryana does not invite open applications for the post. Instead, the Chief Minister forwards a recommended name to the Governor for approval, after which the appointment is formalized via a notification issued by the Chief Secretary. Unlike Punjab, which enacted a dedicated law for its State Election Commission in 1994, Haryana still operates under the State Election Commissioner Service Conditions Rules, 1994, which have been amended multiple times over the years.
Tenure and Appointment Challenges
As per the rules, the State Election Commissioner serves a five-year term or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier. Since Dhanpat Singh was born on April 10, 1960, his tenure ends on April 9, 2025, effectively making his term only four years instead of five. If a successor is not appointed immediately, he may continue in office for up to six months, though this is considered unlikely.
Historically, the process of appointing the State Election Commissioner in Haryana has faced delays and procedural inconsistencies. Before Dhanpat Singh, six of his predecessors were not even sworn in, unlike him, who took his oath of office from then-Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya in April 2021.
Previous State Election Commissioners of Haryana
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Dr. Dalip Singh (2016-2021): Retired IAS, served until the age of 65.
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Rajiv Sharma (2015-2016): Retired IAS, appointed at 64, served for a short tenure.
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Dharamvir (2009-2015): Former Chief Secretary, served under the Hooda government.
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Chandra Singh (2004-2009): Retired IAS of 1973 batch, appointed by the Chautala government.
In 2004, then-Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala attempted to appoint a non-IAS candidate affiliated with his party, INLD, but the Governor rejected the proposal.
Looking Ahead
With the deadline approaching, all eyes are on the state government’s decision regarding the next State Election Commissioner. The appointment will be crucial, given the role’s impact on upcoming local body elections and Haryana’s electoral administration. The lobbying among IAS officers suggests that the competition for the position will be intense in the coming days.