Navin Chawla takes over as CEC on Tue

He is the first CEC who will take over in the midst of the five-phased Lok Sabha elections and will oversee four phases of the polls.

Power Secretary V S Sampath will take over as Election Commissioner tomorrow following the elevation of Chawla.

The elevation of Chawla,who was appointed as Election Commissioner on May 13,2005,comes after a controversy triggered by Gopalaswami’s recommendation to the President for his removal from office for alleged partisan functioning.

The Government had not only turned down Gopalswami’s recommendation but had even announced on March four that Chawla would succeed him as CEC.

The Chief Election Commissioner,a Constitutional post,enjoys a term of six years or till the age of 65 years,whichever is earlier.