U.S. forms commission to recommend on electoral reforms

U.S. President Barack Obama has constituted a commission on electoral reforms to come up with recommendations towards promoting efficient conduct of elections.

The Presidential Commission on Election Administration will be chaired by Bob Bauer and Ben Ginsberg, who has served as the general counsel for Mr. Obama’s re-election campaign and the national council for Mitt Romney’s campaign.

The executive order signed by Mr. Obama, directs the commission to submit a final report to the President within six months of its first public meeting.

It also asks them to consider a variety of ways to shorten queues of voters and promote the efficient conduct of elections.

In his order, Mr. Obama said the Commission shall identify best practices and make recommendations to promote efficient administration of elections.

It will help ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast ballots without undue delay, and try to improve the experience of voters facing obstacles in casting their ballots.

Among other things, the Commission will look into various aspects related to the election process including the voting machine and technology, issues related to polling places, voting accessibility for uniformed and overseas voters, voter education and increasing voting accessibility.

“That report is intended to serve as a best practices guide for state and local election officials to improve voters’ experience at the polls under their existing election laws,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.

It also seeks to improve the voting experience, make voter registration easier and increase access to voting for all Americans.

Welcoming the move, Democratic Party leader Nancy Pelosi said with this, President Obama has taken an essential step in advancing every American’s right to vote.

Unjustifiably long lines are only one of several problems that plagued the election process in 2012 and created obstacles for citizens seeking to exercise their most fundamental right, said House Democratic Whip Steny H Hoyer.

He hoped that the commission will build on the bipartisan foundation established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002.