NEW DELHI, Feb 1: Navin Chawla, the former Chief Election Commissioner of India, passed away on Saturday, as confirmed by a senior official from the Election Commission of India.
Chawla, 79, died from cardiac arrest. He served as Chief Election Commissioner from 2009 to 2010 and was an Election Commissioner since 2005. His cremation is set to take place at the Green Park crematorium at 5 p.m. today (February 1, 2025).
He had been undergoing treatment for a brain surgery at Apollo Hospital, according to former CEC S.Y. Quraishi, who shared the news on X.
“I am saddened to hear about the demise of Shri Navin Chawla, former Chief Election Commissioner of India. May his soul find peace,” Mr. Quraishi expressed.
Chawla began his career by joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1969, contributing to the governments of Delhi, Goa, Puducherry, and Lakshadweep, as well as several ministries including Labour, Home, and Information and Broadcasting. As Joint Secretary and later as Secretary, he played a significant role in developing the “Open-Sky” policies.
He was appointed as Election Commissioner in 2005 and assumed the role of Chief Election Commissioner in April 2009, overseeing the successful completion of the General Elections in April and May of the same year, while also implementing several reform initiatives.
Chawla maintained a long-standing connection with Mother Teresa, first meeting her as a young Civil Servant and continuing to support her humanitarian efforts throughout his life.
In 1992, he authored her biography titled “Mother Teresa” and published a report addressing leprosy, “The Vocational Rehabilitation and Social Re-integration of the Leprosy Affected in India,” which was unveiled by Mother Teresa in 1987.
His term as Election Commissioner was not without controversy, highlighted by then CEC N. Gopalaswami’s recommendation for his removal, which stemmed from conflicts within the commission regarding important decisions. This recommendation, made just three months prior to Gopalaswami’s retirement, was based on a petition from the BJP, which argued that Chawla’s conduct was “partisan.” However, it was ultimately dismissed by then-President Pratibha Patil, and the Supreme Court also rejected a lawsuit seeking his removal. (Agencies)
