Achal Kumar Jyoti (born 23 January 1953) is a retired 1975 IAS officer of Gujarat cadre who served as 21st Chief Election Commissioner of India from 6 July 2017 to 23 January 2018.

Achal Kumar Jyoti
21st Chief Election Commissioner of India
In office
6 July 2017 – 23 January 2018
PresidentPranab Mukherjee, Ram Nath Kovind
Preceded bySyed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi
Succeeded byOm Prakash Rawat
Election Commissioner of India
In office
13 May 2015 – 5 July 2017
PresidentPranab Mukherjee
Chief Election CommissionerSyed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi
Chief Secretary of Gujarat
In office
31 December 2009 – 31 January 2013
Chief MinisterNarendra Modi
Personal details
Born
Achal Kumar Jyoti

(1953-01-23) 23 January 1953 (age 71)
Punjab, India
ResidenceNew Delhi, India
OccupationRetired IAS officer

Education

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Achal Kumar Jyoti has graduate (BSc) and postgraduate (MSc) degrees in Chemistry.[1][2][3]

Career

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Apart from serving as the Chief Election Commissioner of India.[1][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Achal Kumar Jyoti served as one of the Election Commissioners in the Election Commission of India before his appointment as the Chief Election Commissioner of India.[1][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

He has also served in key positions for both Gujarat and Union Governments, like as the Chief Secretary of Gujarat, Additional Chief Secretary (General Administration), Principal Secretary (Finance), managing director of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam, Secretary (Industries), Secretary (Revenue), Secretary (Water Supplies) and as the District Magistrate and Collector of Kheda, Panchmahals, Surendranagar districts in Gujarat Government,[1][2][3] and as the Chairman of Kandla Port Trust in the Union Government.[1][2][3]

He's been involved in 16 state assembly elections as an election commissioner, including five as chief election commissioner and a presidential and a vice-presidential election.

Controversies

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During the elections to the legislative assemblies of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat in November-December 2017, Jyoti delayed the announcement of the dates for the Gujarat election, despite that in 2012, the dates for both states were announced on the same day. Jyoti later clarified that flood relief work in Gujarat was the reason for delay. However, NDTV after speaking to the officials of the flood affected districts, found out that the flood relief work was completed weeks ago, and his claim was false.[11][12]

During the Gujarat Assembly elections that were held in December 2017, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi for violating the model code of conduct, by appearing for an interview with a Gujarati News Channel. While the Indian National Congress claimed that ECI ignored the sitting Prime Minister, Narendra Modi along with Amit Shah (BJP Party chief) and Arun Jaitley (Finance Minister) for violating Code of conduct on several occasions.[13][14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Achal Kumar Jyoti - Executive Record Sheet". Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Shri Achal Kumar Joti takes over as new CEC" (PDF). Election Commission of India. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Chief Election Commissioner - Shri A K Joti". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Achal Kumar Joti appointed as next Chief Election Commissioner". The Indian Express. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Achal Kumar Joti takes over as new Chief Election Commissioner". The Hindu. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Former Chief Secretary of Gujarat Achal Kumar Joti Appointed Next Chief Election Commissioner". The Wire. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  7. ^ a b "Achal Kumar Jyoti takes over as new Chief Election Commissioner". The Indian Express. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  8. ^ a b Borgohain, Sonalee, ed. (3 July 2017). "India's new Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Jyoti to take charge on July 6". India Today. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Achal Kumar Joti Appointed as Next Chief Election Commissioner". News18. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  10. ^ a b "Achal Kumar Joti appointed as CEC: Here's all you need to know about former chief secretary of Gujarat". Firstpost. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  11. ^ "Election Omission: EC announces poll dates for Himachal Pradesh but not for Gujarat". The Indian Express. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Flood Relief Delayed Gujarat Poll Dates? This Is What Officials Say". NDTV.com. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Notice, not FIR, issued to Rahul Gandhi, says Election Commission". India Today. New Delhi. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  14. ^ Sanyal, Anindita, ed. (14 December 2017). "What About PM, Asks Congress After Election Commission Notice To Rahul Gandhi". NDTV. New Delhi. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
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