New CEC Achal Joti takes over from Nasim Zaidi

New Delhi: Achal Kumar Joti on Thursday became the 21st Chief Election Commissioner of the India. While taking charge, Mr Joti said that the commission will ensure that no voter is left behind and the poll body would vigorously pursue its commitment to hold free, fair and credible elections.

He said that the EC would also actively promote e-governance for holding state and Lok Sabha elections. The 64-year-old, former chief secretary of Gujarat, is a 1975-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, and would be in office till January 17 next year. He had joined the poll panel as an election commissioner on May 8, 2015.

Mr Joti was the chief secretary of Gujarat when PM Narendra Modi was the chief minister there. He retired from the position in January 2013. A CEC or an EC has a tenure of six years and can hold office till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Mr Joti was also the Gujarat vigilance commissioner and had officiated as the chairman of the Kandla Port Trust and managing director of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL). He was also the secretary in the industry, revenue and water supply departments in the state.

Mr Joti took over as the CEC following the retirement of Mr Nasim Zaidi earlier this week. He is to soon appoint one more election commissioner to fill the vacancy caused by Mr Zaidi's retirement. Mr Om Prakash Rawat is the other election commissioner in the poll panel.