Bhanwarlal, an IAS officer of 1983 batch, has been appointed as the chief electoral officer of Andhra Pradesh. State chief secretary, S.V. Prasad issued an order on Friday transferring and posting Bhanwarlal as the chief electoral officer, based on a notification issued by the Election Commission of India.
Bhanwarlal was holding the post of principal secretary (Home) prior to this appointment. The chief electoral officer's post fell vacant following the transfer on deputation of 1979-batch IAS officer, I.V. Subba Rao as establishment officer and additional secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training at the Centre.
The state government had recommended the names of three senior IAS officers — Bhanwarlal, M.G. Gopal (secretary, AP Public Service Commission) and S P Tucker (Principal Secretary, Irrigation) for the CEO's post. Bhanwarlal has earlier served as the District Collector of Hyderabad.