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Election Commissioners' meeting to pitch for common legislation

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: The State Election Commissioners' meeting scheduled here on Saturday is likely to take up the issue of adopting a common legislation similar to the People's Representatives Act for elections to the panchayati raj institutions and local self-government bodies in the country. The meeting, in which Election Commissioners of 21 States have so far confirmed participation, will discuss draft legislation in this regard.

Speaking on the agenda of the meeting here, Rajasthan State Election Commissioner Inderjeet Khanna said the topics would include financial assistance from the Centre for purchase of electronic voting machines by the States, preparation of uniform electoral lists and empowering of the State Election Commissions financially and administratively.

The meeting will also discuss the service conditions of Election Commissioners as well as the staff members working under them.

Mr. Khanna said there was a proposal to consider making elections to panchayati raj institutions and civic bodies on a non-party affair. The meet would discuss the ways to curb the impact of communal and caste forces in the elections to these bodies, he said.

Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat is scheduled to inaugurate the meeting, to be held at the Harish Chandra Mathur Institute of Public Administration here. Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil will preside over the inaugural function in which Chief Election Commissioner of India, N. Gopalaswamy, will be the special guest.

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Election Commissioners' meeting to pitch for common legislation

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