Veeravalli Sundaram Sampath assumes office as the new Chief Election Commissioner in New Delhi. AP

Sampath joined the Election Commission of India as election commissioner in April 2009. In this PTI file photo he is seen with out going Chief Election Commissioner S.Y.Quraishi.

A former bureaucrat, 62-year-old Veeravalli Sundaram Sampat has had stints in varied positions in Andhra Pradesh and Delhi. AP

Out going Chief Election Commissioner S.Y.Quraishi waves as he leaves the Election Commission in New Delhi. AP

Born on January 16, 1950, Sampath will be at the helm of Election Commission until January, 2015 when he attains 65 years. PTI