By N Radhakrishna
He is the hero and he made vote as most powerful instrument in democracy. He stood firmly for the independence of the Election Commission. He is TN Seshan (Thirunellai Narayana Iyer Seshan).
In those days when elections were dominated by money and muscle power, he overcame all obstacles and strictly enforced the code of conduct for elections. Special election observers have been appointed in all the states. Election photo identification cards were introduced.
A Palghat Iyer, Seshan was born on 15 December 1932 in Tirunellai, Palakkad district of Kerala. Completed his schooling at “Basel Evangelical Mission Higher Secondary School” and did his intermediate at Government Victoria College, Palakkad.
He is a decorated student and Graduated in Physics from Madras Christian College, later taught at the same College for three years before joining Indian Administrative Services. His elder brother too qualifies for civil services. His father was a lawyer in Palghat.
Thereafter, he went to Harvard University and received Edward S. Received Mason Fellowship. There he obtained a master’s degree in public administration. Joined Civil Service in 1955 and allotted to Tamil Nadu Cadre.
He writes, “One thing the horse never tolerates is timidity, and timidity is a quality that can make life miserable for a civil servant.”
To recollect, in the mid-1960s, Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdullah was kept under house arrest in Kodaikanal. Abdullah, used to having his way, wants to send a letter without it being read. Seshan pushes back saying it is against the rules.
He worked as a secretary in various departments in the Tamil Nadu government and also served as Union Cabinet Secretary in 1989. He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1996 for his services.
What is the Election Commission even for the common voters from Delhi to Galli? What are its functions and powers? He is the official who informed about those things. He is a powerful officer who has made the hearts of political leader’s flutter. He served as the 10th Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India from 1990 to 1996 and created a stir across the country with his decisions.
The electoral reforms introduced by him were strongly opposed by some political groups and the media that supported them. Named as “Election Watch Dog”, Seshan became famous with electoral reforms like compression of campaign hours and control of election expenses etc. The distribution of liquor was stopped. As the Central Election Commissioner, he faced many political leaders but got extensive support from election lovers. He has made a distinction for himself as a person who implemented massive reforms.
TN Seshan is a person who will always be remembered by all sections of people of the country. Seshan acknowledges the ethical complexities of some of his personal actions and equations. But from early on two qualities animate him: one, worshipping the rule book; two, having no fear.
Once, he was transferred from Madurai to the state transport department in Madras. Here, he administers by becoming a practitioner; he becomes a licensed bus driver, finds out how buses work, and once, as an inspector, does bus conductor duty. Immersing into nearly each assignment he gets, he tries to understand: What must this sphere entail from each angle of upholding law and order? What is the current situation? What are its most vexing hurdles? How are we to plan and implement policies giving policy enforcers teeth to stick to them? How do you educate the public on them?
P V Narasimha Rao, Sharad Pawar, VP Singh, Lalu Prasad Yadav and others crossed swords with the EC. Through this time, the EC gradually introduces elements like the voter ID and the electronic voting machine. It raises the limit on candidate expenditure during polls. To counter what appears to be a bullying CEC, the Centre makes changes, adding two more commissioners at the level of the CEC. Seshan challenges that in court, even while working with those colleagues. All of them attempt to stay sane and work together. It is no exaggeration that he is the most recognizable name as the Election Commissioner.
He became active in the politics of the country. Many popular and political leaders themselves were put to mental stress. He passed away on 19th December 2019 at the age of 86 in Chennai.
Every action he took, kept the spirit and letter of the law in mind. He wanted the EC “to change the character of the Indian voter”, making citizens hyper vigilant. To him, it was “criminal to underutilize one’s powers that could advance a noble purpose.”
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