Hegde wants debate on electoral reforms

"I think there should be a debate (on electoral reforms) across the country...as is the debate taking place on Lokpal bill...We will have to discuss why it's not practical in our country," the former Supreme Court judge told when asked to comment on Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi remarks that such a move is impractical.

In an interview to a news channel, Quraishi had said he is not in favour of 'Right to Recall', 'Right to Reject' as any such electoral rule will "destabilise" the country.

"It's not possible in India...It will destabilise the country, everywhere where there is discontent, people will start recalling," the CEC had said.

Hegde said, "If it's (the clause) suited to one country, we got to find if there is a way by which you can modify it to suit our country."

The former Karnataka Lokayukta said while "everybody says yes" to electoral reforms, there should be debates on how it should be done -- whether it should be 'Right to Recall' or 'Right to Reject' or electoral funding to be taken over by the state.He said Team Anna has no problem in discussing Quraishi's suggestion favouring appointment of Election Commission by a collegium of people representing a cross section or political parties, rather than by the government, to improve public perception about the institution. Hegde said he would like to add one more issue to it -- he wants Parliamentary and Assembly secretariats to publish a annual performance audit of all elected representatives.

Citing a magazine report that of the 540-odd members in Lok Sabha, only 174 spoke in the House during 2004-2009, he said, "If they are not participating there, what else they are doing? Are they influencing for transfers, contracts or other things; or are they doing legitimate work which is entrusted to them as our representatives?"

"We require some responsible representatives, that's why we have to bring about electoral reforms," he said.