Ahead of Assembly elections due this year-end the Madhya Pradesh government, on the directive of the Election Commission of India (ECI), appointed V L Kantha Rao (IAS:1992:MP) as the Chief Electoral Officer of the State. The ECI had asked for a panel of three officers for the post. Reportedly, CEI picked Rao from the panel. Rao replaces a State public relations department official said.
Rao replaces Salina Singh (IAS:1986:MP).