Sukhbir Singh Sandhu

SERVINGTHE COMMISSION

Election Commissioner · IAS, Uttarakhand cadre, 1988 batch (earlier served in Punjab and Uttar Pradesh)

12007 – 2014Principal Secretary to four Chief Ministers from three parties
2until Oct 2019Additional Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (IITs, IIMs)
3Oct 2019 – Jul 2021Chairman, National Highways Authority of India
4Jul 2021 – Jan 2024Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand (appointed 5 Jul 2021 per The Tribune; retired 31 Jan 2024 after a six-month extension per PTI/Deccan Herald; ECI profile gives July 2021 to January 2024)
5Feb 2024 – Mar 2024Secretary, Lokpal of India (contract, one year; left on appointment as EC)
6since Mar 2024Election Commissioner, ECI

Also held, undated:Collector / District Magistrate of Haridwar, Gautam Budh Nagar (Noida) and Udham Singh NagarCommissioner, Municipal Corporation Ludhiana, Punjab (received the President's medal for this work)Secretary for Infrastructure Development, Highways, PPP Projects, Urban Development, Power, Industries and Finance (state governments)

Time at the Commission

2 yr 6 mo

EC 2 yr 6 mo

Selected under

2023 Act committee

14 Mar 2024

Dissent at selection

1 recorded

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Entries on record

49 entries · 10 documented · 22 reported · 6 claims · 11 responses

Selected by

14 Mar 20242023 Act committee

Narendra ModiPrime Minister (chair)Majority

Amit ShahUnion Home Minister (nominated Cabinet Minister)Proposed

Adhir Ranjan ChowdhuryLeader of the largest opposition party in the Lok SabhaDissented

Gyanesh KumarElection Commissioner · took charge 15 Mar 2024

Sukhbir Singh SandhuElection Commissioner · took charge 15 Mar 2024

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury dissented: Recorded dissent on procedure: 212 names sent the night before and a six-name shortlist eight to ten minutes before the meeting. He said he had nothing against the two appointees.

Sukhbir Singh Sandhu

Selected by

Objections and decisions

Sources for this profile 7