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Top-level police reshuffle in Tamil Nadu
Chennai: In a decisive move to bolster election preparedness, the Election Commission has ordered a major reshuffle of senior IPS officers in Tamil Nadu, including the appointment of a new state police chief, ahead of the 2026 Legislative Assembly elections.
Among the decisions, Dr Sandeep Rai Rathore (IPS, 1992 batch) has been appointed as the Director General of Police (DGP) and Head of Police Force (HoPF) for Tamil Nadu. This appointment marks a significant leadership change at the top of the state police hierarchy.
In an official communication to the Chief Secretary, the Commission stated that it had reviewed the state's readiness for the upcoming polls and directed immediate changes in key police positions to ensure free and fair elections.
In addition, the Commission ordered the following postings:
The Election Commission has directed that all orders be implemented with immediate effect. The Tamil Nadu government has been asked to submit a compliance report confirming that the officers have taken charge of their new postings by 11:00 AM on April 3, 2026.
Reiterating its commitment to neutrality, the Commission also instructed that officers who have been transferred out should not be assigned to any election-related duties until the completion of the electoral process.
The reshuffle is part of the Commission’s broader efforts to maintain administrative impartiality and ensure a transparent electoral process in the state.
