Archana Patnaik has been appointed as the new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tamil Nadu, succeeding Satyabrata Sahoo, who had served in the role since March 15, 2018.During his tenure, Sahoo oversaw the conduct of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the 2021 Assembly elections, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and various by-elections. Recently, he was transferred to the role of Secretary for the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries while also holding the additional charge as CEO.
Archana Patnaik’s appointment marks a significant milestone, as she will be the 30th CEO of Tamil Nadu and the first woman to hold the position. The appointment order was issued by Rahul Sharma, Secretary of the Election Commission of India.
Patnaik has a distinguished track record in public administration. During her tenure as the District Collector of Coimbatore, she implemented initiatives to ensure compulsory education for street children. She has also served as the Director of Horticulture and was most recently the Secretary of the Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) before being appointed as the Chief Electoral Officer.
Patnaik’s extensive experience in various administrative capacities is expected to contribute significantly to her new role as she takes on the responsibility of overseeing elections in Tamil Nadu.