India Mourns Death of Former Chief Election Commissioner T.N. Seshan

Guwahati, November 11, 2019:

Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Tirunellai Narayana Iyer Seshan passed away on Sunday.

He was 87 years old.

TN Seshan was the 10th CEC and served from December 12, 1990, till December 11, 1996.

Seshan's death has been mourned by the leaders all across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to his official twitter handle to express his grief in the following words,

“Shri TN Seshan was an outstanding civil servant. He served India with utmost diligence and integrity. His efforts towards electoral reforms have made our democracy stronger and more participative. Pained by his demise. Om Shanti.”

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted, “Saddened by the demise of former Chief Election Commissioner, Shri T N Seshan ji. He played a transformative role in reforming and strengthening India’s electoral institution. The nation will always remember him as a true torchbearer of democracy. My prayers are with his family.”

Congress President Sonia Gandhi also expressed her condolences on the passing away of TN Seshan. “A seasoned civil servant who served as Cabinet Secretary, Shri Seshan will always be remembered for strengthening India's EC & pioneering many far reaching electoral reforms,” she said.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “Unlike today, there was a time when our Election Commissioners were impartial, respected, brave & feared. Shri #TNSeshan was one of them. My condolences to his family on his passing.”

Assam Chief Minister Sabananda Sonowal tweeted, “Saddened to learn about the demise of former Chief Election Commissioner #TNSeshan whose contribution in electoral reforms will be always remembered. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.”

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “Saddened to know about the demise of T.N. Seshan, a stalwart for free and fair elections.

His legendary contribution to democracy will be always remembered. My condolences to his family and many admirers”.

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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed, “Deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of senior CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta. He worked tirelessly to serve the working class of this country; he was also one of its finest voices. My deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends & comrades.”

Former CEC S.Y. Quraishi tweeted, “Sad to announce that Shri TN Seshan passed away a short while ago. He was a true legend and a guiding force for all his successors. I pray for peace to his soul.”

The IAS Association on its official social media handle tweeted, “A sad day indeed. We have lost two of our best senior members - T N Seshan (1955) and P S Krishnan (1956). True role models- they set standards of public service we all aspire for. Loss for nation & society. Deepest Condolences to family members. #Respect”

IAS officer of 1955 batch from Tamil Nadu cadre, Seshan was known for his bold and strict commandments. Under his term, no bribing or intimidating voters, no distribution of liquor during the elections, no use of official machinery for campaigning, no appealing to voters' caste or communal feelings, no use of religious places for campaigns and no use of loudspeakers without prior written permission, were formulated.

It was Seshan who enforced the Model Code of Conduct, strictly monitored limits on poll expenses, and cracked down on several malpractices like wall graffiti. The issuance of Voter IDs for all eligible voters came into being under his strict watch.

The former CEC also won the Ramon Magsaysay Award and contested for the post of President of India in 1997.

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