Chief Election Commissioner of India to Speak on Elections in the World’s Largest Democracy

As part of its weekly colloquium series, the South Asian Studies Council is honored to host Dr. S.Y.  Quraishi for a talk, titled “Conducting Elections in World’s Largest Democracy”.

September 28 • 4:30pm • Room 203, Luce Hall, 34 Hillhouse Avenue

Since 2010, Dr. S.Y. Quraishi has served as the 17th Chief Election Commissioner of India.  Prior to this appointment, he served as Election Commissioner of India for a period of 4 years. During the period of his tenure in these positions, Dr.Quraishi has overseen a significant General Election in 2009 and numerous state assembly elections.

Dr. Quraishi brings to the Election Commission 35 years of public service, at both federal and state levels. Before joining the Commission, he was Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India and held a number of significant positions within the Indian Administrative Service including Special Secretary (Health) and Director General of National AIDS Control Organization in the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Government of India, and Director General of India’s National Television Network, Doordarshan.  Occupying a wide range of senior positions in India’s public service, Dr.Quraishi has forged innovative and meaningful connections among otherwise diverse domains.  He has developed extensive expertise in health, youth, gender, education, population and social marketing and communication.  He pioneered India’s largest AIDS awareness program across 159 Indian universities, and is the author of the book Social Marketing for Social Change.  Dr.Quraishi’s work on women’s and child development has been recognized by international organizations, and he has consulted for UNICEF and UNFPA on these issues.

Dr. Quraishi completed his Master’s degrees from St.Stephen’s College in Delhi before joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1971.  He received a PhD for his dissertation “Role of Communication and Social Marketing in Development of Women and Children.”  Dr. Quraishi is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards that recognize his contributions to civil society, public service, and human development. These include the Nehru Fellow for innovative and outstanding work in child welfare, Secular India Harmony Award for contribution to human understanding, Silver Elephant National Award of Indian Scouts and Guides in recognition of service of most exceptional character to the movement, Shiromani Award for merit, high calibre and commitment to human welfare.