Election Commissioner and former Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer Om Prakash Rawat, on Tuesday, assumed charge as the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). He succeeded Achal Kumar Joti, a Gujarat cadre IAS officer, who remitted office on Monday. Former finance secretary Ashok lavasa , who was appointed as an election commissioner, also took charge on Tuesday.
In an interview to electronic media after taking over the charge, Rawat brushed aside the allegations that had been levelled against the Commission. "The thing is that not every stakeholder, player in the arena has access to 360 degree comprehensive information. Based on their incomplete information, they may be making a perception where they may be developing a feeling that something partial has been done," Rawat said.
Responding to a query pertaining to simultaneous polls, CEC Rawat said that the government needs to carry out amendments on simultaneous polls. Rawat was agreed with what MPs cutting across political lines said recently about holding simultaneous polls. "It was the prerogative of our parliamentarians to make the law (for simultaneous lok Sabha and Assembly polls)," he said. However, Rawat declined to say whether it is possible to hold simultaneously polls in 2019. The Election Commission had given its opinion on this issue in 2015.
Responding to a query pertaining to the electoral bonds, Rawat said that the Commission will set up committee in next two to three days to examine the report. "Will comment after that. While some points are accepted, some are not," he said.
The Election Commission's recommendation to disqualify 20 Aam Aadmi Party MlAs in the Office of Profit case on Friday had triggered a controversy. Rawat had initially recused himself from hearing the AAP case last year after statements from AAP leaders questioning his independence because he was seen to be close to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.