In the mid-nineties, I was appointed as Election Observer in a bye election to the Legislative Assembly of a state. This was my first appointment as Observer. One was overawed by the terrorising mention of the CEC, Mr Seshan, also widely acclaimed as Al Seshan or Alsatian. The CM of that state stood for a bye election to a seat vacated on the resignation by an important MLA of the ruling party. The Returning Officer was a young IAS officer, who had recently been given his first posting SDM.
On my first visit to the State, I met the State CEO and then on arrival at the district, the district officials gave a briefing, lauding all the arrangements done. That evening some complaints were received from a certain political party that the officers, especially, some engineers, in favour of the ruling party, were still inviting tenders and also getting roads constructed in violation of the code of conduct. The DM was directed to provide data on all the road schemes tendered during the operation of the code of conduct in this constituency and in adjoining areas of the neighbouring constituency.
Poll code violation
Reluctantly, the data was provided. The documents showed that road projects in the constituency were all split into several parts of Rs 50,000/- each and allowed to be taken up through contractors, selected by the local MLA, in the name of departmental work, while the same modality of implementation was not applied to any of the projects in the neighbouring constituency not involved in the election process. Obviously, it was a clear violation of election code and had been done to favour the candidate. These facts were also cross verified and affirmed through my field visits.
The complaints also alleged that a very important road/bridge project was to be inaugurated by the named local MLA much after he had officially resigned and his resignation had been accepted by the Speaker of the assembly, facilitating the way for the bye election to take place. The newspaper advertisement confirmed the allegation.
On return to Delhi, I contacted the CEC office, hoping to get an appointment to meet or to speak to the CEC. To my utter surprise, the phone was picked up by none other than Mr Seshan, the CEC himself, saying in a thunderous and booming voice “Seshan…” I introduced myself and sought an appointment with the CEC, stating the circumstances, very briefly. CEC asked, “When would it be convenient for you to come?” taken by utter surprise and stammering for a moment, I responded saying “Anytime convenient to you, Sir.” “Ok, come now.” CEC said and put the phone down.
Nirvachan Sadan entry
The entry into Nirvachan Sadan was facilitated with prior instruction from the CEC office. I entered the CEC’s large room with the CEC himself seated in a rather measuring way. Never a more sanitised table devoid of papers or files was seen. “Tell me,” he said. I explained and showed all the supporting documents. He listened and went through the papers quickly. He then asked, “What do you think I should do? Should I countermand the elections?” I hastened to state that “No, Sir, I am not suggesting countermanding of elections.” I explained that the need was to go on with the election process and enforce the code of conduct, rigorously and to spare none, including a sitting head of Government.
He suggested that some officers perceived to be close to the candidate would need to be removed and that would send the necessary signal to all the officials. He said “OK.” I returned after the brisk and businesslike meeting and submitted my report, thereafter.
