Should ministers resign before polls?

Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishna Murthy on Friday suggested that ministers, except a few important ones in each state, should resign when assembly elections are announced for the state.

He said the step would strengthen the electoral system.

Murthy was speaking at a workshop on electoral reforms in New Delhi.

"Perhaps the chief minister, finance minister and the home minister could continue in office and all others could resign," he suggested.

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Suggesting some revisions in the electoral system, he said criminals against whom charge sheets have been framed well ahead of elections should be prevented from contesting.

"This is not denial of any fundamental right. This is only a suspension of a statutory right until the person is cleared of the charges," Murthy added.