Saturday, May 14 2005 20:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Infomation and Broadcasting Secretary Naveen Chawla was today (May 14, 2005) appointed Election Commissioner in the vacancy caused by the elevation of B B Tandon, as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

The appointment of Chawla, which takes effect from Monday (May 16, 2005), was cleared by the Prime Minister and has been approved by the President, official sources said.

The 1969 batch IAS officer, who was due to retire in June this year (2005), would have a five-year tenure in the three-member commission after the retirement of Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy on Monday. The other member of the Commission is N Gopalaswami.

Tandon would have tenure of one year, as CEC followed by Gopalaswami, who is eligible for a two-year stint as the Chief Election Commissioner.

Thereafter, Chawla would have tenure of two years, as CEC beginning from 2008. If the present Lok Sabha completes its five-year term, he would be the CEC in charge of conducting the next general elections.

A graduate in history, Chawla prior to becoming I&B secretary, was Secretary in Consumer Affairs.