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Money power a big menace: Ex-CEC

"Law against it should be based on consensus"

Shimla: Identifying growing role of money power in the elections as "a big menace" of Indian democracy, former Chief Election Commissioner B. B. Tandon has suggested a suitable legislation based on the political consensus against it.

The Election Commission has made various recommendations regarding partial state funding of polls which should be given a serious thought, Tandon told PTI here.

He said steps should also be taken to ensure transparency in the funds of political parties.

Tandon pointed out that criminalisation of the political system is threatening the very roots of democracy. The Election Commission had recommended that the candidate should not be allowed to contest election if charges are framed against such person by the court.

"But these recommendations were not accepted by the standing committee of Parliament," Tandon said.

The political parties should take a pragmatic view on this issue and come out with a suitable measure, the former CEC added. He also suggested political parties also evolve a code of ethics among themselves and not give ticket to such criminal elements.

Tandon said, "It is only the will-power of the political parties which could help Indian democracy get rid of this menace."

The former CEC said before demitting office he had suggested to the President of India that appointment to the high offices of CEC and EC should be made by the President based on the recommendations of a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Prime Minister which should also have leader of the opposition of both houses of Parliament. Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Vice Chairman of the Rajya Sabha should also be made members of this committee along with the Home Minister, he said.

This should be broadly on the pattern which is prescribed under the law for appointment of Chief Information Commissioner and other Information Commissioner under the Rights to Information Act.

Tandon congratulated the EC for conducting the recent election in Uttar Pradesh in a free, fearless and fair manner. "This was a big challenge for CEC N. Gopalaswami and he successfully faced it. It is for the first time in Uttar Pradesh not a single election related death or violence occurred," Tandon, a Himachal Pradesh cadre IAS officer, said. PTI

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