J. M. Lyngdoh
Encyclopedia
James Michael Lyngdoh is an Indian civil servant and was Chief Election Commissioner of India
from June 14, 2001 to February 7, 2004. He was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award
for Government Service in 2003.
He completed his education in Delhi, at St Stephen's College
.
, when he was twenty-two. He quickly became known for probity and toughness and for favoring the underdog against politicians and the local rich.., In one early post, his principled execution of mandated land reforms so enraged landlords that he was transferred before the year was out., . Similar clashes with the powers-that-be marked his rise in the Service.., But rise he did, eventually serving as Secretary, Coordination and Public Grievances, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India.
, the Election Commission updated and verified the election rolls, introduced voter identity cards, and added a thousand new voting sites. The Commission recruited nonpartisan poll officers for every polling station.
He heightened election security by mobilizing the local police and paramilitary forces from outside the state.., Then he urged the people "to vote fearlessly." Forty-four percent did so. Even Lyngdoh’s critics ., acknowledged that the polling had been fair, causing many in India to seize this triumph of "ballots over bullets" as a sign that the long-festering crisis of Jammu-Kashmir might yet be resolved peacefully.
After the Godhra riots
the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dissolved the state government and called for elections amid the sectarian carnage, Lyngdoh used his authority to say no. Citing the large number of displaced persons and the pervasive atmosphere of fear in Gujarat, he postponed the elections. Although vilified for doing so, he stood his ground and carefully prepared for the delayed polls. He insisted, for example, that local officials and police who had supposedly been complicit in the riots be transferred.
Chief Election Commissioner of India
The Chief Election Commissioner heads the Election Commission of India, a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections to the national and state legislatures...
from June 14, 2001 to February 7, 2004. He was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award
Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is often considered Asia's Nobel...
for Government Service in 2003.
Early life
Of Khasi tribal origin, Lyngdoh hails from the northeastern state of Meghalaya. Lyngdoh is the son of a district judge.He completed his education in Delhi, at St Stephen's College
St. Stephen's College, Delhi
St. Stephen's College is a constituent college of the University of Delhi located in Delhi, India. The college admits both undergraduates and post-graduates, and awards degrees under the purview of the University. Famous for its rich history and many traditions, St...
.
Career
Lyngdoh entered the IASIndian Administrative Service
The Indian Administrative Service is the administrative civil service of the Government of India. It is one of the three All India Services....
, when he was twenty-two. He quickly became known for probity and toughness and for favoring the underdog against politicians and the local rich.., In one early post, his principled execution of mandated land reforms so enraged landlords that he was transferred before the year was out., . Similar clashes with the powers-that-be marked his rise in the Service.., But rise he did, eventually serving as Secretary, Coordination and Public Grievances, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India.
Work as Election commissioner
In 1997, the president named Lyngdoh one of India’s three election commissioners. By 2001 he was chief election officer.Lyngdoh soon faced crises in two of India’s most troubled states. In Jammu-Kashmir, where India was locked in a potentially explosive standoff with Pakistan and local secessionists, state elections fell due in 2002. Many people doubted that they could be conducted credibly. Lyngdoh thought otherwise. Pushing ahead despite a vicious cross-border assassination campaign ., and a boycottElection boycott
An election boycott is the boycotting of an election by a group of voters, each of whom abstains from voting.Boycotting may be used as a form of political protest where voters feel that electoral fraud is likely, or that the electoral system is biased against its candidates, or that the polity...
, the Election Commission updated and verified the election rolls, introduced voter identity cards, and added a thousand new voting sites. The Commission recruited nonpartisan poll officers for every polling station.
He heightened election security by mobilizing the local police and paramilitary forces from outside the state.., Then he urged the people "to vote fearlessly." Forty-four percent did so. Even Lyngdoh’s critics ., acknowledged that the polling had been fair, causing many in India to seize this triumph of "ballots over bullets" as a sign that the long-festering crisis of Jammu-Kashmir might yet be resolved peacefully.
After the Godhra riots
2002 Gujarat violence
The 2002 Gujarat violence describes the Godhra train burning and resulting communal riots between Hindus and Muslims. On 27 February 2002 at Godhra City in the state of Gujarat, the Sabarmati Express train was attacked by a large Muslim mob in a conspiracy. But some authentic sources deny the claim...
the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dissolved the state government and called for elections amid the sectarian carnage, Lyngdoh used his authority to say no. Citing the large number of displaced persons and the pervasive atmosphere of fear in Gujarat, he postponed the elections. Although vilified for doing so, he stood his ground and carefully prepared for the delayed polls. He insisted, for example, that local officials and police who had supposedly been complicit in the riots be transferred.