GS Paper 4
Syllabus: Application of Ethics/Governance/
Source: Indian Express
Direction: Examples from already serving bureaucrats or the ones who have worked towards bringing reforms in society add value to your answer. This can be used as a way forward in GS -2 Electoral reforms/ Ethics – upright public servant.
Context: The Supreme Court, mooting the idea of including the Chief Justice of India in the selection process for the Chief Election Commissioner, has said a person like former CEC, the late T N Seshan, “happens once in a while”.
T N Seshan’s contributions:
Electoral Reforms:
- His strict commandments were – 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.
- He also 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.
Ethical Values:
- Integrity: He was instrumental in rooting out many of the corrupt and unfair practices followed by political parties during elections in India.
- Transparency and Accountability: his ideas and philosophies were inclined towards transparent and accountable governance.
- Leadership Qualities: He did not bow in front of corrupt politicians and worked towards the betterment of society.
He was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay award in 1996 for his resolute actions to bring order, fairness, and integrity to elections in India, the world’s largest democracy.
Mains Link:
Q. Discuss the significant role played by T N Seshan in establishing progressive and autonomous election commission machinery in the country. (250 words)
