TN Seshan, former chief election commissioner, passes away at 87

Former chief election commissioner Tirunellai Narayana Iyer (TN) Seshan, who was responsible for ushering in electoral reforms in the country, passed away on Sunday (November 10) at his residence in Chennai. He was 86.

Seshan, who was the 10th Chief Election Commissioner of India, was not keeping good health for the past couple of years and passed away at 9:30 pm, a senior police officer was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. He was largely confined to his home here for the past several years due to old age.

He was known for enforcing the Model Code of Conduct and taking a strict stand against electoral malpractices in the country. He served in the top post from December 12, 1990 till December 11, 1996. A retired 1955 batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, Seshan had won the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1996 for his service to the government.

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2019

Condoling his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “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.”

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.

— Dr. S.Y. Quraishi (@DrSYQuraishi) November 10, 2019

“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,” tweeted former CEC SY Quraishi.

Sad that former ChiefElectionCommissioner
TN Seshan has passed away in Chennai. He was my father’s classmate at VictoriaCollege Palakkad — a courageous &crusty boss who asserted the ElectionCommission’s autonomy& authority as no CEC before him had done. A pillar of our democracy pic.twitter.com/FfGBuJnWoU

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 10, 2019

“Sad that former Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan has passed away in Chennai. He was my father’s classmate at Victoria College Palakkad — a courageous and crusty boss who asserted the Election Commission’s autonomy and authority as no CEC before him had done. A pillar of our democracy,” said Congress leader Shashi Thaoor in a tweet.

(With inputs from agencies)