Page 104 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Leap of Faith Journey of Indian Elections

then President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
appointed Dr. M.S. Gill and G.V.G. Krishnamurthy as
“ “ Dr. M.S. Gill, succeeded T.N. Seshan as the 11 Chief
It is the solemn duty of political parties to ensure
Elec on Commissioners in exercise of powers conferred
that polling is both free and fair. Since almost every
under Ar cle 324 (2).
political party speaks against electoral malpractice
it should be easy for all political parties to abjure
Elec on Commissioner of India on December 12, 1996.
these methods by common consent. If everyone
decides not to indulge in malpractices the objective
will be automatically achieved. It is only when one
party indulging in lawlessness wants to prevent the
others from imitating that clashes occur and mar the
entire democratic process. Let the elections be
fought with respect for human decency. Political
parties, both ruling and in Opposition, bear an
onerous responsibility for this.

R Venkataraman
President of India (1987-1992)
Broadcast on DD and All India Radio
June 8, 1991

T.N. Seshan's strategy lay in implemen ng the Model Code
of Conduct rigorously. He not only acted tough, but gave it
wide publicity.

The Elec on Commission's drive to make elec ons free,
fair, transparent and credible under adverse
circumstances led to increasing role of Observers. The
status of Observers received statutory backing in 1996. It
was incorporated as Sec on 20 B of the Representa on of
the People Act, 1951.
T.N. Seshan's tenure also saw the Elec on Commission
become a mul -member body. On October 1, 1993 the
A page from Sunday weekly, January 15-21, 1995

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