New Delhi: S Y Quraishi, Election
Commissioner, was today appointed the new Chief Election
Commissioner (CEC) in the place of Navin Chawla, who demits
office on Thursday.
He is India`s first Muslim CEC ever.
The notification elevating 63-year-old Quraishi as head
of the three-member election body was issued today. He will
have a little less than two years in the Constitutional post.
Chawla, who took over in the middle of 2009 Lok Sabha polls,
headed the Commission for a little more a year.
"In pursuance of Clause 2 of Art 324 of the
Constitution, the President is pleased to appoint Shri
Shahabuddin Yaqub Quraishi as Chief Election Commissioner with
effect from 30th August, 2010," said the Law Ministry
notification.
Quraishi, a thoroughbred civil servant, will conduct
assembly elections in Bihar later this year and in a bunch of
states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala and Assam next.
"I feel deeply honoured on being entrusted with this
assignment. Election Commission of India is an institution in
which the nation places a great trust. It would be my utmost
endeavour to prove myself worthy of this trust," Quraishi told
PTI reacting to his appointment.
On the occasion, he sought the support of all
stakeholders, especially the people in the discharge of his
sacred duties.
-PTI
