 "Nasim Zaidi takes over as new chief election commissioner")
Holding free and fair elections "at all cost" will be the aim of the Election Commission, Nasim Zaidi, who on Sunday took over as the 20th chief election commissioner, said. Zaidi will have a tenure up to July 2017, when he attains the age of 65.
"Holding free and fair elections at all cost based on error-free electoral rolls will be the aim of the Election Commission," he said soon after assuming charge.
Zaidi said inclusiveness of all sections of the society and voter-centric programmes such as easy registration will be his focus areas. He said while continuing with the legacy of his predecessors, he would strive to make the poll watchdog a "more vibrant and transparent organisation."
In appointing Zaidi as the CEC, the government has carried on with the convention of elevating the senior-most EC. Zaidi took over from Hari Shankar Brahma, who demitted office on Saturday. He is the only one left in the three-member constitutional body as the others have retired.
The government is yet to fill up the vacancies of two election commissioners. The law ministry has already informed the Prime Minister's Office of the vacancies and a decision on the issue is expected soon, sources in the government said here.
A 1976-batch IAS officer, Zaidi has worked in the civil aviation ministry for a long time.
"Holding free and fair elections at all cost based on error-free electoral rolls will be the aim of the Election Commission," he said soon after assuming charge.
Zaidi said inclusiveness of all sections of the society and voter-centric programmes such as easy registration will be his focus areas. He said while continuing with the legacy of his predecessors, he would strive to make the poll watchdog a "more vibrant and transparent organisation."
In appointing Zaidi as the CEC, the government has carried on with the convention of elevating the senior-most EC. Zaidi took over from Hari Shankar Brahma, who demitted office on Saturday. He is the only one left in the three-member constitutional body as the others have retired.
The government is yet to fill up the vacancies of two election commissioners. The law ministry has already informed the Prime Minister's Office of the vacancies and a decision on the issue is expected soon, sources in the government said here.
A 1976-batch IAS officer, Zaidi has worked in the civil aviation ministry for a long time.