The Hindu : Q & A: T.S. Krishnamurthy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 16, 2004

National

National - Elections 2004

Q & A: T.S. Krishnamurthy

'The Commission should be recognised as a team'

Sixty-three-year-old T.S. Krishnamurthy, the Chief Election Commissioner of India, wants to remove the impression that the CEC is a "larger-than-life" person, as he explains. Mr. Krishnamurthy, the first Indian Revenue Service officer to occupy the post, spent a few minutes with

K. Ramachandran on a visit to Chennai answering questions on how it feels to lead a massive machinery that energises the world's largest democracy.

How does it feel to be part of a process that is leading to major political changes in the country?

Change...? No! I don't think change is the word. The result of the election is not important. What I am more concerned about is the image that the people and the international community have about the Commission. They should know here is an institution under the Constitution working with an aim of ensuring a free and fair poll. But then, if the results lead to a better style of governance in the country, it is certainly welcome...

Does the post give you a sense of power or pride?

I see it more as an opportunity. People should conduct themselves according to the rules and the law so that everyone is given an opportunity to come out and participate in the elections. It (the post of CEC) gives me an opportunity to provide the conditions for the people without any threat and by avoiding any violence.

That is the opportunity I have. I will certainly be happy if in the course of the elections, and through the people's power, the good is brought out and bad elements get eliminated. Ultimately, we are keen to ensure that no one participates in the elections under threat and no voter is deprived of his right to vote...

You talked of an opportunity...?

Yes, I have now the opportunity, in the sense of setting healthy precedents...The Election Commission is an institution that functions as a team. I realise that as the CEC I have a lot of responsibility. Yes. But it is a collective body though for every deficiency pointed out, I must find an answer to meet that deficiency. In that way, it certainly gives me a sense of pride that the elections here are free and fair.

One thing, I am particular about is that the Election Commission is recognised as a team. Sometimes the Chief Election Commissioner is portrayed as someone larger than life. We have only 300 people. But we try and run the elections with the help of so many unknown faces. In fact we have nearly 60 million people (including those on law and order duty) who are used for running the elections. That gives me a sense of satisfaction.

A word on your other interests?

I am keen on golf. I listen to a lot of classical music, regularly visiting concerts. I used to play tennis, but now I do not because of a shoulder problem.

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