The Government of Tripura has appointed **retired IAS officer Dr. Pradeep Kumar Chakravarty** as the new **State Election Commissioner**, ensuring continuity in the functioning of the State Election Commission, the constitutional body responsible for conducting elections to panchayats and urban local bodies across the state.
The appointment was made through an official notification issued by the state government and has come into immediate effect. Dr. Chakravarty succeeds **Manoj Kumar**, also a retired IAS officer, who stepped down from the post in accordance with the provisions of the **Tripura Panchayat (Constitution of State Panchayat Election Commission) Rules, 1993**.
According to the notification, Manoj Kumar had been appointed as the State Election Commissioner on **November 15, 2025**. However, he later resigned from the position, creating a vacancy in the constitutional office. Following his resignation, the state government initiated the process for appointing a new State Election Commissioner in accordance with the legal provisions governing the office.
The notification stated that the government recommended the name of **Dr. Pradeep Kumar Chakravarty** under **Section 176(1) of the Tripura Panchayat Act, 1993**, read with **Rule 3 of the Tripura Panchayat (Constitution of State Panchayat Election Commission) Rules, 1993**, including the amendments introduced in **2006 and 2013**. Acting on the recommendation of the state government, the **Governor of Tripura** formally appointed Dr. Chakravarty as the State Election Commissioner.
The government also clarified that the **salary, allowances, service conditions, and other terms of appointment** of the State Election Commissioner will be regulated under **Rule 4 of the Tripura Panchayat (Constitution of State Panchayat Election Commission) Rules, 1993**, along with subsequent amendments made from time to time.
The appointment assumes significance as the State Election Commission plays a crucial constitutional role in ensuring the free, fair, and transparent conduct of elections to **Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies** in Tripura. The Commission is responsible for preparing electoral rolls, supervising the election process, enforcing the model code of conduct where applicable, and ensuring that local body elections are conducted in accordance with constitutional and statutory provisions.
With Dr. Chakravarty taking charge, the State Election Commission is expected to continue its mandate of strengthening democratic governance at the grassroots level and ensuring the smooth conduct of future local body and panchayat elections across Tripura.
