HS Brahma appointed as Chief Election Commissioner of India

President Pranab Mukherjee has appointed Harishankar Brahma as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India.

He will be 19th CEC of India and succeed V S Sampat who had retired after attaining age 65 on 15 January 2015.

He will take charge on 16 January 2015.

About Harishankar Brahma:

• He is a retired IAS officer of 1975 batch from the Andhra Pradesh cadre.

• He hails from the state of Assam. He is second person from North East India to become Chief Election Commissioner after J. M. Lyngdoh.

• He had assumed charge of Election Commissioner on 24 August 2010, after he retired from position of Secretary in Ministry of Power.

Chief Election Commissioner:

As per the provisions of Article 324 of Constitution

• Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners are appointed by the President.

• They hold office for the term of 6 years or until they attain age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

• The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only throughimpeachment by Parliament.