Strongly committed to free, fair and credible elections: New EC Chief

NewsBharati 23-Jan-2018

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New Delhi, January 23: The newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Om Prakash Rawat has taken charge today. The 1997 batch IAS officer from Madhya Pradesh cadre will now succeed Achal Kumar Jyoti in the post till December 2018.

After assumption of charge, Rawat spoke about the priorities of the Commission and said that the Commission shall pursue vigorously its commitment and maintain its standard to hold free, fair, inclusive and credible elections throughout the country.

The 64-yr old from Uttar Pradesh had earlier served in the Ministries of Defence and Heavy Industries. He also was the Principal Secretary to then Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Babu Lal Gaur from 2004 to 2006.

Former Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa also took charge as Election Commissioner. During his tenure at Election Commission there would be General Elections to Legislative Assemblies of almost 28 states including ongoing General Election in states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura. Besides this, General Election to the Lok Sabha in 2019 would also be held during his tenure.

Also, Sunil Arora is the other Election Commissioner in the three-member panel body. Arora would retire in April, 2021, and would oversee the 2019 Lok Sabha polls as the CEC. Lavasa would demit office in October, 2022 and would be the CEC after Arora.

Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat Ashok Lawasa Election Commission Achal Kumar Jyoti Sunil Arora Ashok Lavasa