Harishankar Brahma appointed election commissioner

Former bureaucrat Harishankar Brahma was today appointed as election commissioner.

A 1975 IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre, Brahma (60), who hails from Assam, is a former Union power secretary.

"The president is pleased to appoint Shri Harishankar Brahma as the election commissioner in the election commission of India with effect from the date he assumes the office," said a notification issued by the law ministry.

Brahma was appointed election commissioner following the elevation of SY Quraishi as the Commission's head.

It is understood that prime minister Manmohan Singh was keen to appoint an officer from the North East to the key post.

Brahma is the second person from the North East after JM Lyngdoh, who retired as chief election commissioner in 2004, to become election commissioner.

VS Sampath is the other election commissioner.