A conversation with Navin B. Chawla, former Chief of the Election Commission of India. Moderated by Mark Hansen from the University of Chicago Department of Political Science. Recorded October 15, 2014 India is not only the world’s largest democracy. It is also enormous in population and area and diverse in language, religion, and class, with a spirited press, concentrations of great wealth, a large number of poor and illiterate voters, and a long history of political violence. The Election Commission is charged with the daunting task of ensuring that India’s federal elections are free, fair, and peaceful. As the Chief of the Election Commission, Navin B. Chawla oversaw the 2009 elections to the Indian parliament, the Lok Sabha, and he continues as an influential commentator on the practice of Indian democracy. In this wide-ranging discussion moderated by Mark Hansen, professor of Political Science, he reviewed the role of the Election Commission in facilitating participation, regulating conduct and safeguarding the process against violence, and promoting impartial administration. More about this event: cis.uchicago.edu/chawla From the Center for International Studies World Beyond the Headlines series: cis.uchicago.edu/wbh

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