PTI
New Delhi, Jun 8: President A P J Abdul Kalam is understood to have given his nod to the choice of N Gopalaswami as the next Chief Election Commissioner succeeding B B Tandon, who is retiring on June 29.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had earlier cleared the name of Gopalaswami, the senior most EC, for the top post in the poll body.
Prior to becoming an Election Commissioner in 2004, Gopalaswami had worked as Union Home Secretary.
A gold medalist in chemistry from Delhi University, Gopalaswami, a 1966-batch Gujarat cadre IAS officer, would have a stint of nearly three years. His term would end in 2009.
The CEC has a term of six years or 65 years whichever is earlier.
By appointing Gopalaswami as CEC, the government has followed the seniority principle.
It is keenly watched who would fill the third slot in the Commission with the elevation of Gopalaswami. Navin Chawla is the other Election Commissioner.