Gopalaswami takes over as new CEC

The 62-year-old Gopalaswami said that attack on the Commission is a privilege of the political parties.

N Gopalaswami on Friday took over as new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) claiming that the credibility of the Commission has gone up after the Assembly elections in Bihar and the recent polls in five states

"I thought otherwise. The credibility of the Commission has gone up after the Bihar assembly elections and the polls in five states," he told reporters after assuming charge at a time when the Commission has come under attack from the Left parties on its handling of the office-of-profit controversy.

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Replying to a question on the controversy shrouding Election Commissioner Navin Chawla, Gopalawami said, "today he is part of the Commission. He is a member of the Commission ...The matter is pending before the court".

A questioner asked whether the credibility of the EC was affected because of the "faulty" procedure in the appointment of Commissioners, he said, "I do not think the credibility of the Commission as such is questioned. The credibility about the appointment of a particular person would have been questioned".

Giving an assurance that he would strive to live up to the expectations of the voters and other stake holders who value the poll body as a neutral umpire, 62-year-old Gopalaswami said that attack on the Commission is a "privilege" of the political parties.