Dr SY Quraishi

Born on June 11, 1947, in Delhi, Dr. S.Y. Quraishi joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1971 and after holding several strategic and key positions, rose to become the 17th Chief Election Commissioner of India—the world’s largest democracy. He became the first Muslim to be the CEC of India.

An alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University (M.A. History, 1969), he received a Ph.D. in Communications and Social marketing from Jamia Milia Islamia in 1992. He has authored several books including—'An Undocumented Wonder-the Making of the Great Indian Election' that describes the enormity and complexity of the Indian election, ‘Old Delhi- Living Traditions’, a coffee table book on the heritage city and its social and cultural life. His latest book ‘The Population Myth reveals how the right-wing spin to population data has given rise to myths about the ‘Muslim rate of growth’, often used to stoke majoritarian fears of a demographic skew. The book busts myths about Islam and family planning.

He also founded the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management to professionalize election management and share it with the emerging democracies of the world. Over 70 countries have received training in this institute within five years. He has been a Member of the Board of Advisors of International IDEA (Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance) Stockholm since December 2012. He was also a Member of the Advisory Committee to assist and advise the Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security, headed by Mr Kofi Annan (2010-12). He figured in The Indian Express's list of 50 Most Powerful Indians of 2011 and 2012 and India Today's High and Mighty Power List in 2012. Dr. Quraishi is well known in India and abroad as a development thinker and for his inclusive style of leadership and for bringing harmoniously together wide varieties of groups and institutions for achieving the common objectives of development.