N Gopalaswami is expected to be the next chief election commissioner succeeding B B Tandon, who is retiring on June 29.

Gopalaswami is the seniormost election commissioner who had worked as Union home secretary prior to his coming to the Nirvachan Sadan.

It is understood that Gopalaswami's appointment to the top post in the poll body has been cleared by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

It is keenly watched who would fill the third slot in the commission with the elevation of Gopalaswami.

The name of Home Secretary V K Duggal is currently doing the rounds for the post.

Navin Chawla is the other election commissioner now.