New Delhi, July 6 (IANS): Achal Kumar Joti on Thursday assumed charge as the 21st Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, succeeding Nasim Zaidi who demitted office on Wednesday after completing his tenure.

Joti, who has a tenure of eight months, said the Commission will vigorously pursue its commitment to hold free, fair, inclusive and credible elections in the country. 

He said the poll panel will actively promote e-governance for holding of elections to state assemblies and parliamentary elections in the country. 

An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 1975 batch, Joti joined as Election Commissioner on May 13, 2015. 

He retired as Chief Secretary to the Gujarat government in January 2013 after a three-year tenure, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was Chief Minister of the state.

As Election Commissioner, he oversaw assembly elections in the states of Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakand, Manipur and Goa.