The Hindu : National : Centre promises electoral reforms

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Friday, May 06, 2005

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National

Centre promises electoral reforms

Special Correspondent

However, problem was when EC "goes out of crease"

NEW DELHI: : The Union Government on Thursday promised the Lok Sabha to carry forward electoral reforms by consulting all political parties and stressed that the Election Commission had a constitutional role to play in conducting free and fair elections.However, there were times when the Election Commission "goes out of crease" and that was where the problem lay, the Law Minister, Hans Raj Bhardwaj, said in reply to a discussion on electoral reforms initiated by Devendra Prasad Yadav of the Rashtriya Janata Dal. His observations came in the wake of criticism by several members on the attitude of the officials during polls.

Mr. Bhardwaj said notices have been given to political parties to cancel their symbol under the model code of conduct that had nothing to do with the symbol order.

At times it had "become humiliating" as Ministers/Members of Parliament were turned away or declared out of bounds.

He said legislation could be brought forward to clearly define the process so that no one could implement decisions with malafide intention. In the absence of Opposition members during the discussion, he said, a comprehensive debate could not take place.

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