K.A.Viswanathan
For the first time in Mumbai five former Chief Election Commissioners of India were honoured in one platform at the Shanmukhananda hall in Mumbai where the Shanmukhananda fine arts and sangeetha sabha and the SIES jointly felicitated them for their outstanding contribution to uphold Indian democracy.
The Commissioners who were present includes Dr. M.S.Gill, T.S.Krishnamurthy, Navin B.Chawla , S.Y.Quraishi and J.M.Lyngdoh The governor of Maharashtra Mr. K.Sankaranarayanan presided over the function .
Maharashtra governed K Sankaranarayanan in his address said that political parties should remember that the chair they hold today will not be with them forever.
That will be decided by the people in a democratic country. That is the greatness of our country". He added that India's elections are conducted in a way no other country can. "After Independence we had so many elections. In this way, no other country has done. China may have more population but this system is not there," he said.
The reason for organizing a function of this nature according to the president of the Shanmukhananda Sabha Dr. V.Shankar was the CECs had worked under extremely difficult conditions and issues which were deterrent to the election process like money and muscle powers, criminalization of politics and intimidation. Over the years they had handled these issues and asserted their authority derived from the constitution and ensured free and fair elections. “This ceremony is our simple way to thank them for their contributions to preserve democracy” he said.
