Right to recall will endanger political stability: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi on Monday rejected social activist Anna Hazare's demand for right to recall or reject saying the move would endanger political stability in the country.

"Political stability is the need of the hour at the moment and the provision of right to recall or reject will endanger it," he said in an informal chat with mediapersons in Shimla.

"There is need for voters to judiciously exercise their franchise and once it happens there will be no need for provisions like right to recall or reject," the CEC said.

"But all these matters should be decided in Parliament and not at Jantar Mantar," Quraishi said in an oblique reference to Anna Hazare's agitation.

Quraishi, who was in Shimla to attend the 19th convocation of Himachal Pradesh University, said the file on the proposed electoral reforms was on the table of the Central government which is "seriously contemplating a revamp".

He said the government, among other things, was mulling to incorporate provisions to debar persons with criminal background from contesting elections.

"These reforms will bring more transparency in the electoral process and provide more rights to the voters," said Quraishi.