Consultation Process for Electoral Reforms

With a view to carrying out comprehensive electoral reforms, a Core-Committee has been constituted on the 1st October, 2010 under the Chairmanship of an Additional Solicitor General. The Committee under the aegis of Legislative Department and in co-sponsorship of the Election Commission of India conducted seven regional consultations. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister for Law & Justice, said that various stakeholders have been consulted, who inter-alia included leaders and workers of the political parties, legislators, legal luminaries, representatives of NGOs, eminent persons, civil servants (serving and retired), law students, advocates, etc., and views have been gathered. 

Shri Khurshid further informed the House that during these consultations several issues have been brought forward which broadly related to: (i) Criminalisation of Politics; (ii) Funding of Elections; (iii) Conduct and Better Management of Elections; (iv) Regulation of Political Parties; (v) Audit and Finances of Political Parties; (vi) Review of Anti-Defection Law. As the matter involves deep study and careful consideration in consultation with the political parties before a decision could be arrived at, it is difficult to lay down any rigid time frame in this regard. The roadmap, however, would be drawn up as soon as the consultation process would be over, the Minister said.