Chennai: The Union government has approved the appointment of Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Sandeep Saxena as Deputy Election Commissioner in the Election Commission of India.


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 Sandeep Saxena, an IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre of the 1989 batch will take over as Deputy Election Commissioner, a Joint Secretary level posting in the Election Commission of India, an order, dated November 2, posted on the Union Ministry of Personnel website said.


 "Sandeep Saxena IAS (TN:1989) as Deputy Election Commissioner (JS Level), Election Commission of India from the date of assumption of the charge of the post for a period of five years or until further orders, whichever is earlier, vice R Balakrishnan IAS (OR:1984)," it said.


 Saxena's appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.


 "Till such time the cadre controlling authority, which is the state government, issues the order to get relieved and report to the new place of posting, I continue to hold the post of CEO, Tamil Nadu," he told PTI.


 According to government sources, the order relieving him is expected at any time.  Saxena was appointed Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu on Oct 27 last year by the EC in consultation with the State.


 He succeeded Praveen Kumar as CEO and had held posts, including Agricultural Production Commissioner and Principal Secretary to the Government (Agriculture Department) in Tamil Nadu.


 He helmed the RK Nagar bypoll held this year which Chief Minister Jayalalithaa won by a huge margin. Also, the Srirangam bypoll was held during this tenure.


  Saxena's brief tenure lasting a year was also marked by opposition DMK's allegations of some discrepancies in the electoral rolls.