Outcome of Election Commission Meeting With Political Parties

Outcome of Election Commission Meeting With Political Parties

The Election Commission held a meeting on 4th October 2010, with recognized National and State Political Parties to discuss issues related to (i) Electronic Voting Machines, (ii) Money Power in Elections (iii) “Paid News” in connection with Elections and (iv) Criminalization of Politics. All the six National Political Parties, and 35 out of 49 State Political Parties attended the meeting.

Political Parties were explained the technical and administrative safeguards put in place by the Election Commission with respect to Electronic Voting Machines. Political Parties appreciated the measures and recognized the fact that the EVMs have been used effectively in Elections in India for more than a decade. There was a consensus among Political Parties for the continued use of Electronic Voting Machines. In view of the fact that periodic improvement in EVMs have been undertaken by the Commission in the past as well, several political parties suggested that the feasibility of incorporating a ‘Voter Verifiable Paper Trail’ in the EVMs may be explored to further enhance voters’ satisfaction. Based on suggestions received at the meeting, the Commission decided to refer to the Technical Expert Committee for detailed examination of ‘Voter Verifiable Paper Trail’ in EVM in all its aspects through a process of wide consultation. The Expert Committee shall submit its report to the Commission for its consideration.

On the issue of the abuse of Money Power in elections, Political Parties were unanimous in their opinion that it is a menace which undermines the sanctity of the whole electoral system. Political Parties welcomed the recent steps taken by the Commission to curb the role of money power. There was consensus among the parties that instructions of the Commission in this regard should be implemented with firmness and the cases should be pursued vigorously to book the offenders. The Commission apprised political parties regarding the order issued for strict enforcement of expenditure monitoring measures in elections, and appealed to them to exercise self regulation and restraint.

Political Parties were of the view that audit of their annual accounts by a Chartered Accountant from a panel appointed by the CAG or the Commission is not required as they themselves are getting their accounts audited through their auditors and submitting annual returns to Income Tax Authorities. Many Political Parties said that the possibility of Sate funding of elections should also be explored. They also expressed the view that the ceiling on Election Expenditure should be raised in view of inflation.

All Political Parties felt that the recent phenomenon of “Paid News” was a serious threat to the Indian democratic traditions and that strong measures are required to be put in place to curb this menace. They took note of the recent series of measures taken by the Commission to deal with the problem. Political Parties extended support to more proactive action by the Commission while also appreciating that finding evidence admissible in a Court of Law, in cases of Paid News is difficult. They agreed that amendments might be required in the Representation of the People Act and for an effective control over Paid News by including it in the list of corrupt practices. One of the steps suggested was that an Expert Committee of eminent Jurists, Media Persons and others might be constituted by the Commission to develop effective methods of identification and accounting of Paid News. Political Parties also suggested that the Commission should reconsider the present level of restrictions on the conventional methods of election campaign as these restrictions have led to alternative and pernicious practices like Paid News. The Commission requested the political parties to actively cooperate with the Commission on opposing ‘paid news’ and share information timely with it because without their joining the campaign against ‘paid news’ the menace would remain difficult to tame.

On the subject of Criminalization of Politics, the view among Political Parties was that no change is called for in the present law which disqualifies a person only on conviction. They felt that under the system of jurisprudence in India a person is presumed to be innocent unless proved guilty. Political Parties assured the Commission that they will exercise more self regulation in this matter while fielding their candidates.