Proposed Election Commissioner Krishna Man Singh Pradhan has withdrawn his candidacy from the Parliamentary Hearing Committee (PHC) stating that “the constant barrage of misinformation eroded his motivation and desire to work in the recommended position and forced him to withdraw his candidacy."
Pradhan, whose parliamentary hearing is ongoing, withdrew his candidacy on Monday after receiving hints that his name would not be approved.
"It is disheartening to see groups actively engaged in a campaign of misinformation targeting me and devaluing the contribution of my 40 years of non-governmental organization," said Pradhan, "the constant barrage of misinformation forced him to withdraw my candidacy."
"Now I have realized how terribly effective lies are when they are deliberately presented in an organized manner," he mentions in the letter.
He said that he is thankful to the recommendations made by the Constitutional Council and also expressed his commitment to remain loyal to any responsibility given by the state in the future.
Complaints were lodged at the PHC alleging that he had sexually abused a woman with the lure of a job and later settled the case by paying a hefty sum of money.
When the PHC called for complaints on June 21 against Pradhan, it received a total of five complaints. A woman in a complaint alleged that Pradhan had sexually abused her in the name of getting her a job.
Following the woman's complaint, MPs in the PHC questioned his moral character. The PHC members reached a consensus that he would not meet the required moral standards outlined in the Constitution due to his alleged involvement in sexual misconduct.
A meeting of the Constitutional Council held on June 16 had recommended Pradhan for his appointment to the post of Election Commissioner. He has already faced the PHC.
Had his proposal been endorsed, the President would have appointed him as the Election Commissioner.
