New Delhi, Jul 15 (IANS): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed India's Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa as the Vice-President for Private Sector Operations and Public-Private Partnerships.

He will succeed Diwakar Gupta, whose term ends on August 31.

An ADB statement noted that Lavasa -- whose stint with the election body was otherwise scheduled to end in October 2022 -- has a long and distinguished career in the Indian civil service.

Lavasa has previously served in a range of senior posts, including as the Finance Secretary, the Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, and the Civil Aviation Secretary.

"He has extensive experience in public-private partnerships and infrastructure development at the state and federal levels, with deep knowledge on public policy and the role of private sector," it said.

Lavasa grabbed the headlines last year due to dissenting opinion regarding the orders to clear Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the then BJP President, of the charges of Model Code of Conduct violations during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.