Sampath takes over as new Chief Election Commissioner of India

Monday, June 11, 2012

VS Sampath interacting with press after taking over the charge.

New Delhi: Veeravalli Sundaram Sampath on Monday took over as the 18th Chief Election Commissioner of India at the Election Commisioner headquarters here in New Delhi.

Sampath, an IAS officer of 1973 batch, has taken over from SY Quraishi whose term came to an end on Sunday.

The 62-year-old will preside over the next Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

In the past few years, Sampath held several important postings in Central Government. Starting with a stint in the Union Ministry of Rural Development. In 2005, he was appointed as Director General, National Institute of Rural Development. Subsequently, he held the post of Secretary, Chemicals and Petrochemicals where he was pivotal in conceptualizing and implementing the PCPIR policy to help the growth of the Petrochemical sector in India by facilitating massive investments in the identified Regions.

Later, he also served as Secretary, in the Central Power Ministry, where he was instrumental in implementing several forward-thinking policies to aid the sector. Among them was Restructured-Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP), a mega-package for the renovation and modernization of Indian power utilities to help them improve their performance.

Sampath joined as Election Commissioner in the Election Commission of India on 21st April, 2009 after N Gopalaswami demitted office, during the course of the General Elections 2009.

Born on January 16, 1950, Sampath will be at the helm of the Commission till January, 2015 when he would turn 65.

As per the Indian Constitution, an EC or the CEC can remain in office either for a six-year term or till 65 years, whichever is earlier.
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