Achal Jyoti takes charge as election commissioner

Former chief secretary of Gujarat Achal Kumar Jyoti on Wednesday took charge as the new election commissioner, filling one of the two vacancies in the three-member body.

A stickler for rules, Jyoti retired as Gujarat chief secretary in January 2013, having spearheaded two consecutive Vibrant Gujarat Summits in 2011 and 2013. "He is known to keep a low profile but is very hardworking and thorough, giving attention to smallest details," one of his former colleagues said.

Jyoti's proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to have helped the 1975-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer bag the state vigilance commissioner post after his retirement. Jyoti is also known to be good at grasping the government's priorities and implementing its schemes across the state.

Prior to being appointed the chief secretary, Jyoti has also worked as secretary in departments like water supply, revenue and industry, among others. Jyoti has also worked in various capacities in his cadre, including as chairman of the Kandla Port Trust between 1999 and 2004 and managing director of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd.

Born on January 23, 1953, Jyoti will have a tenure of nearly three years, as an election commissioner has to demit office at the age of 65 years. 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.