Indianmandarins has reliably learnt that Ajay Mittal (IAS:1982:HP), an outstanding IAS officer is all set to become the new Election Commissioner of India on January 23, 2018 to replace Shri AK Joti, CEC who retires that day. He hails from a distinguished BJP family and his father and grandfather both strong BJP political leaders. He is regarded as upright, will be a great asset to the government following his rich experience in both centre and state. Mittal, the outgoing DoPT Secretary, will be drafted into the three-member poll panel as an Election Commissioner. Though Mittal's retirement is due in February next year, the new job may prove a boon for him by extending his services 61 months post-retirement. As per the law, a CEC or an election commissioner can have a tenure of six years or hold office till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Further, Om Prakash Rawat may be designated as CEC being the senior most election commissioner in the poll panel after A K Joti.