EC, law panel propose major electoral reforms

The Election Commission, along with the Law Commission, has proposed massive reforms in the election laws to cleanse the political system. Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said the Election Commission (EC) is awaiting the government response on the proposed amendments in relevant provisions of the laws, including the Representation of the People Act.

The proposed amendments include increasing punishment to two years in jail for filing false affidavit, debarring candidates charged with cognisable offences from contesting polls; and prohibiting anonymous contribution above Rs 2,000 to political parties.

The Commission is also seeking to empower itself to countermand elections in cases where money power is abused, drawing from the recent experience of Tamil Nadu elections, where candidates in countermanded polls contested again with impunity.

Delivering the inaugural address at the ‘National Interactive Conference on Electoral Laws’, Zaidi said the legal researchers of the poll body, in collaboration with legal luminaries and institutions, are working to address the need for a comprehensive review of the Representation of the People (RP) Act.

“Electoral reforms is an important area which needs to be addressed in a very systematic manner. We are happy to release a compilation of 47 proposals of electoral reforms sent by the Commission from time to time for law making,” he said. “These have also been examined by Law Commission and many proposals of EC have been endorsed for legislation,” Zaidi added.