Rawat assumes charge as Chief Election Commissioner

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Om Prakash Rawat on January 23, 2018, assumed charge as 22^nd Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India succeeding A K Joti, who demitted the office on January 22 after completing his tenure. Rawat served as Election Commissioner since August 14, 2015.

Born on December 2, 1953,Rawat, a former MP Cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 1977 batch retired from active service in December, 2013. He served in various capacities in his cadre Madhya Pradesh as also the Centre including the post of Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Department of Public Enterprises from April 3, 2012, December 31, 2013, according to a PIB release.

Under his tenure at Election Commission, there will be General Elections to State Legislative Assemblies of Karnataka, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, besides the ongoing General Election to Legislative Assemblies of three states i.e. Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura.

After assumption of charge, Rawat spoke about the priorities of the Commission and said that it will pursue vigorously its commitment and maintain its standard to hold free, fair, inclusive and credible elections throughout the country.