Nasim Zaidi takes over as new CEC

New Delhi, April 19

Holding free and fair elections “at all cost” will be the aim of the Election Commission, Nasim Zaidi, who today took over as the 20^th Chief Election Commissioner, said

Zaidi will have a tenure up to July, 2017 when he attains the age of 65.

“Holding of 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 like easy registration will be his focus areas.

He said that 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, government has carried on with the convention of elevating the senior-most EC.

Zaidi took over from Hari Shankar Brahma who demitted office yesterday.

Incidentally, 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 government said here.

A 1976 batch IAS officer, Zaidi has worked in the Civil Aviation Ministry for a long time. — PTI