Sunil Arora took charge as the new chief election commissioner of India on Sunday, officials said.

"This morning Sunil Arora took over as chief election commission," an official said. "He was appointed as the new chief election commissioner by President Ram Nath Kovind last month."

The 62-year-old Arora succeeded O.P. Rawat who retired on Saturday.

Officials said Arora will have a nearly two-and-a-half-year tenure as chief election commissioner.

Arora will oversee India's general election scheduled next year.