Published: Thursday, Aug 19, 2010, 0:08 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_pm-handpicks-harishankar-brahma-as-third-election-commissioner_1425430
Harishankar Brahma has been appointed the third election commissioner. The former power secretary, who is a 1975-batch IAS of the Andhra cadre, is a personal choice of prime minister (PM) Manmohan Singh.
It was initially rumoured that a person from the legal service may be brought in as the third election commissioner since chief election commissioner (CEC) SY Qureshi and election commissioner VS Sampath both are IAS, but Brahma bagged the honour.
As secretary power, Brahma had done a commendable job and drew PM’s attention.
Hailing from Bodoland, he is the second election commissioner from the northeast after JM Lyngdoh. Brahma will serve for five years or until he attains the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
Therefore, he may end up becoming CEC. Even Sampath was handpicked by PM.
With Brahma’s appointment, PM, it seems, has decided to set in motion the process of filling crucial vacancies. The next in line is the post of chief vigilance commissioner since Pratyush Sinha is retiring.
PM has already held one round of talks with opposition leaders who are members of the high-powered panel that selects candidates for crucial offices.
