Sampath takes over as India?s new Chief Election Commissioner

New Delhi: Veeravalli Sundaram Sampath?on Monday?took over as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Sampath replaced S.Y. Quraishi who retired from the post.

Sampath was named the new CEC by the government last week. He would be at the helm of the autonomous Election Commission till January 2015 and is to preside over the 2014 general elections.

According to rules, the CEC and Election Commissioners can serve in the post for either a six-year term or till 65 years, whichever is earlier. Sampath, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer was born on January 16, 1950, and appointed as one of the Election Commissioners in April 2009.

Earlier, he served in several capacities in Andhra Pradesh and in the federal government. Before being appointed as the Election Commissioner he served as the Power Secretary.

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Interacting with the media after taking charge of the office, Sampath said that his top priority would be electoral reforms to check criminalisation of politics and use of money power in elections.

He also said that the EC would announce election schedule for electing the new President of the country soon. ?Preparatory work is in full swing and an announcement regarding the election schedule is due shortly,? Sampath said.

Consequent to Sampath?s appointment, the government will soon be naming his replacement as the Election Commissioner.

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