Former chief secretary Rajiva Sinha took over as the new state election commissioner on Wednesday after governor C.V. Ananda Bose approved his name following several rounds of back and forth between Nabanna and Raj Bhavan.

The post fell vacant on May 29 when the tenure of then state election commissioner, Saurav Das, expired.

Sources said the state government had proposed Sinha’s name for the post in May third week, considering that rural polls would be held by mid-August. The five-year tenure of rural bodies is set to expire from August 16.

“But the file was pending with Raj Bhavan for some two weeks as the governor sought several explanations. Finally, the file was sent to Nabanna on Wednesday morning. The state government issued the order appointing Sinha as the new state election commissioner immediately. Sinha took charge almost immediately,” said a source.

Sinha, a 1986-batch IAS officer, worked in several departments including industries and health before becoming the chief secretary in September 2019. He spearheaded Bengal’s battle against Covid-19.

“He worked tirelessly to develop the health infrastructure for Covid patients. He had taken some remarkable steps like hiring private healthcare establishments to provide free and proper treatment to Covid patients. He engaged the state administration for the safe return of Bengal's migrant workers. He is a team person,” said a bureaucrat who has worked closely with Sinha.

Senior bureaucrats said Sinha may face new challenges as state poll panel chief because he has to conduct the panchayat polls within a couple of months.

"Panchayat polls are known to be the most violent of elections," pointed out a bureaucrat. "It remains to be seen how he handles the challenges."

Sinha, after assuming charge, said his role was a "statutory" one and the commissioner couldn't do whatever he wished.

"It is a statutory work.... Everything is written in the book, the commissioner has to follow it,” said Sinha.

“It is a new responsibility and I will discharge it," he added.

On the rural poll dates, Sinha said: "The state election commission cannot decide on the election dates unilaterally. The state government in consultation with the state election commission declares a date and the poll panel’s responsibility is to hold the polls properly."