Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Odisha CEO Seeks VRS After Electoral Roll Revision
RS Gopalan is Odisha's top election official.
He asked to leave government service earlier than planned.
He said he made the decision for personal and family reasons.
He wants to stay in Bhubaneswar while his son finishes school.
Gopalan said the decision was not connected to criticism of the voter-list revision.
The final voter list was published on September 21.
It contains about 3.16 crore voters.
Opposition parties said many names were removed from the list.
Gopalan said he had completed 25 years in government service and felt the major election-list task was finished.
Odisha Chief Electoral Officer RS Gopalan has sought voluntary retirement for personal reasons, nearly 21 months before retirement.
Gopalan, a 2001-batch IAS officer, has served as Odisha's CEO since July 2024 and was due to retire in June 2028.
He said he wants to focus on his family and remain in Bhubaneswar until his son's schooling is complete.
Gopalan said he planned to apply after the final electoral roll was published on September 21.
The BJD and Congress criticized the SIR process, alleging that more than 27.50 lakh voters were excluded and voter data was manipulated.
- Who
- RS Gopalan, Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer and a 2001-batch IAS officer.
- What
- He sought voluntary retirement from government service before his scheduled retirement.
- When
- He made the announcement on Thursday, after the final electoral roll was published on September 21.
- Where
- The decision concerns his government service in Odisha; he said he would remain in Bhubaneswar.
- Why
- Gopalan cited personal and family reasons, while opposition parties linked the issue to controversy over the Special Intensive Revision.
Gopalan's Explanation
Opposition Criticism
Reason for seeking VRS
Gopalan's Explanation
Gopalan said he sought voluntary retirement for personal reasons, to focus on his family and his son's education.
Opposition Criticism
The BJD and Congress demanded his resignation over the Special Intensive Revision and criticized his handling of the electoral rolls.
Electoral-roll revision
Gopalan's Explanation
Gopalan said the major task was completed after the final electoral roll was published and denied that his decision was connected to the controversy.
Opposition Criticism
The BJD alleged that more than 27.50 lakh voters were excluded and claimed that the matter was being concealed and voter data had been manipulated.
- Position
- Odisha Chief Electoral Officer; he also holds additional charge as Excise Department Secretary.
- Service background
- Gopalan is a 2001-batch IAS officer and has completed 25 years in government service.
- Time before retirement
- He sought VRS nearly 21 months before his scheduled superannuation in June 2028.
- Election-roll date
- The final electoral roll was published on September 21.
- Voter total
- The final roll contains around 3.16 crore voters.
- Opposition allegation
- The BJD alleged that more than 27.50 lakh voters were excluded during the SIR process and that voter data was manipulated.