AAP MLAs' disqualification, state polls: CEC Rawat's immediate challenges

Rawat is an Indian Administrative Service officer of 1977-batch Madhya Pradesh cadre

Om Prakash Rawat, 64, is likely to take charge as India’s 22nd Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) from his predecessor A K Jyoti on January 23. Rawat’s appointment follows the age-old tradition of appointing the senior-most election commissioner as CEC in the apex election watchdog in the country.

Rawat joined the EC on August 14, 2015 and he was the second-most senior election commissioner after Jyoti, who retired on Monday. Former bureaucrat Sunil Arora is the now second-most election commissioner and is likely to become CEC once Rawat retires in December this year.

The CECs are appointed for a fixed-term of