EC to call meet on electoral reforms
Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill
announced on Friday that an all-party meeting will be called next
month to discuss various pending issues relating to electoral
reforms, including finding a solution on a symbol following the
elevation of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) as a national party
vis-a-vis the Assam Gana Parishad (AGP).
Talking to reporters after meeting a six-member Bangladesh
election commission delegation, he said both political parties have
reservations over the symbol issue. Under Election Commission
laws, national party symbols are reserved throughout the country.
Gill said one of the proposals the EC was considering was
that an exclusive symbol could be reserved for any recognised party
including regional. There were 39 regional political parties and
seven national parties. This means the commission will reserve
only 46 symbols and there will be no problem even if a party
changes its status.
Gill said at least two weeks before the meeting a
comprehensive agenda would be circulated among all the parties to
give their views on various issues.
Dr Gill said he was also writing to Law Minister Ramakant Khalap
to change the name of the state election commission office to avoid
confusion among the public.
He said in the Delhi municipal elections, candidates as well as
general public were sending various inquiries to the office of the
Election Commission though there was no administrative authority of
the commission in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi elections.
Gill said the Bangladesh delegation showed great interest in
the Indian elections and also the strong measures taken by the
Election Commission, which helped in curbing electoral malpractices
all over the country.
The delegation was particularly interested in the scheme of
preparation and issue of photo-identity cards to voters. The scheme
was discussed in detail and the measures taken by the Commission
for its implementation were also discussed in depth, he added.
The delegation was headed by Bangladesh Election Commissioner Mushtaq Ahmed
Chaudhuri and had a detailed exchange of information and views with
Dr Gill and Election Commissioner G V Krishnamurthy.
UNI
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