Former Gujarat Chief Secretary Achal Kumar Jyoti appointed as Election Commissioner

Achal Kumar Jyoti, a former Chief Secretary during the tenure of Narendra Modi as Gujarat Chief Minister, was on Thursday appointed as the Election Commissioner, filling one of the two vacancies in the three-member body.

The appointment of Jyoti (62), who retired from active service in January, 2013 after serving in various capacities in Gujarat including as Chairman of the Kandla Port Trust between 1999 and 2004 and Managing Director of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL).

His tenure as EC will commence from the day he assumes charge, a Law Ministry notification said today.

Born on January 23, 1953, Jyoti will have a tenure of nearly three years, when he will turn 65, the age at which ECs demit office under the Constitution.

An EC or a CEC has a tenure of six years in office or till he or she attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

After V S Sampath demitted office in January, H S Brahma was elevated as CEC. But after Brahma demitted office, two posts of ECs in the three-member body have remained vacant.

Between April 19, when Nasim Zaidi took over as the CEC till today, he was the only member in the poll body.

In the coming days, the government will appoint one more Election Commissioner to fill up the last vacancy.

He has also worked as Secretary in the Industry, Revenue and Water Supply Departments.