Former Chief Election Commissioner Dr. MS Gill passes away

The Election Commission has expressed deep condolences on the demise of former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr. Manohar Singh Gill on 15 October 2023 in New Delhi.

11th Chief Election Commissioner of India:

• Dr. M.S. Gill was the 11th Chief Election Commissioner of India. He was a talented officer of the 1958 batch of the Indian Administrative Service, Punjab cadre.
• Dr. MS Gill held the charge as the Chief Election Commissioner during the period from 12 December 1996 to 13 June 2001.
• After the retirement of TN Seshan, MS Gill was appointed as the CEC of the Election Commission of India.

His important functions as CEC:

• During his tenure as CEC, the Election Commission of India successfully conducted general elections to the 12th Lok Sabha in 1998 and 13th Lok Sabha in 1999 as well as the 11th Presidential election and Vice-Presidential election in 1997 to the Legislative Assemblies in more than 20 states. 
• When TN Seshan was the Chief Election Commissioner, Gill and GVG Krishnamurthy were members of the Election Commission.
• After retirement, Gill joined politics. He was a Rajya Sabha MP from Congress.
• MS Gill was the Sports Minister in the UPA government in 2008.

Padma Vibhushan Award:

• Gill was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the year 2000 for his exceptional and distinguished services as a civil servant.

Election Commission of India (ECI):

• Founded: January 25, 1950
• The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional body that administers union and state election processes in India.
• ECI conducts elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, President and Vice President in the country.
• Part 15 of the Indian Constitution deals with elections. All the provisions have been mentioned. Articles 324 to 329 of the Indian Constitution deal with the powers, functions, tenure, eligibility, etc. of the Election Commission and the members.