Achal Kumar Joti takes charge as next Chief Election Commissioner, succeeds Nasim Zaidi

Achal Kumar Joti on Thursday took charge as the next Chief Election Commissioner. Achal Kumar Joti, who had served as Chief Secretary of Gujarat when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister has succeeded Nasim Zaidi.

Joti, a 1975-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, had joined the three-member poll panel as an election commissioner on May 8, 2015, and would be in office until January 17 next year.

He retired as the Gujarat chief secretary in January 2013.

A CEC or an EC can have a tenure of six years or hold office till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Joti, who will be the 21st CEC, has also served as the Gujarat vigilance commissioner and worked in various capacities in the state, including as the chairman of the Kandla Port Trust between 1999 and 2004 and the managing director of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL).

He was also the secretary in the industry, revenue and water supply departments in the state.

Also read: Achal Kumar Joti who served as Chief Secretary of Gujarat under then Modi govt appointed as new CEC