Former Chief Election Commissioner TN Seshan dies at 86

Former chief election commissioner (CEC) and former Cabinet secretary Tirunellai Narayana Iyer Seshan passed away on Sunday. Seshan was the man who ushered in reforms in the country’s electoral process during his tenure as CEC in the 1990s. He died of a cardiac arrest in Chennai. He was not keeping good health for the past couple of years and he passed away at about 9.30 pm. Seshan’s last rites are expected to be performed on Monday.

TN Seshan was the 10th Chief Election Commissioner and had served form December 12, 1990, till December 11, 1996.

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

Seshan’s family members Srividya and Mahesh told The Hindu, “He had a fever yesterday,” Srividya said. “Otherwise, he had only age-related issues. It was very sudden. At 9.15 pm, he was watching television, felt uneasy and wanted to go the restroom. Later when we took him to the bed, he passed away.”

PM Narendra Modi too 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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2019

Born in December 1932 in Thirunellai, Palakkad district in Kerala, TN Seshan was a graduate in Physics and worked for three years as a demonstrator at the Madras Christian College. This is when he passed the IAS exam. TN Seshan also studied at Harvard University on Edward S. Mason Fellowship where he earned a master’s degree in public administration.

He was a retired 1955 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Tamil Nadu cadre. Seshan had earlier served as the 18th Cabinet Secretary of India in 1989. He had also won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his services to the government in 1996.

May his Soul Rest In Peace.

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