N Gopalaswami, senior most Election Commissioner, has been appointed the next Chief Election Commissioner by President A P J Abdul Kalam. He would take over as CEC on June 30, succeeding the incumbent B B Tandon who retires on June 29.
Meet the next Chief Election Commissioner
Sixty two-year old Gopalaswami, prior to becoming an Election Commissioner in 2004, had worked as Union Home Secretary. A gold medallist post-graduate in chemistry from Delhi University, Gopalaswami, a 1966-batch Gujarat cadre Indian Administrative Service officer, would have a stint of nearly three years. His term would end in 2009.
A different kind of test for new CEC
The CEC has a term of six years or till 65 years of age whichever is earlier. By appointing Gopalaswami as CEC, the government is following the seniority principle.
The third slot in the Commission following will be keenly watched following the elevation of Gopalaswami. Navin Chawla is the other Election Commissioner. Besides serving in Gujarat in various capacities, Gopalaswami had worked as Culture Secretary, Secretary General in the National Human Rights Commission and various Central departments.
He takes over as CEC at a time when Nirvachan Sadan is in focus due to the office of profit controversy and the attack by the Left on the poll body.
