New Delhi, Jun 10 - Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi today demitted office at the end of his six-year tenure. At a simple function at the Commission headquarters here he signed his relinquishing order, paving the way for his successor V S Sampath, who will formally assume charge as the CEC tomorrow.

On his last day in office, Quraishi was given a warm send-off by officials of the Commission. The CEC designate and EC H S Brahma met Quraishi earlier in the day, but were not present at the formal farewell later in the evening.

Quraishi was appointed as Election Commissioner in the poll body on June 30, 2006 and had assumed charge as the 17th CEC on July 30, 2010.

On his retirement, Quraishi told PTI he was happy and contented and would now focus his attention on a couple of writing assignments. PTI