GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO: 158
ANSWERED ON:01.12.2011
ELECTORAL REFORMS
MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI
(a) the details of deficiencies from which the present day electoral system, suffers;
(b) whether the Government proposes to include the Right to reject and the Right to recall, as a part of ushering electoral reforms;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) the other measures under consideration, for cleansing electoral system; and
(e) the time by which further reforms in the electoral process are likely to be introduced?
Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICEbe pleased to state:-
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(SHRI SALMAN KHURSHID)
(a)to(e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House. Statement referred to in replies to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starre Question No. 158 for answering on 1st December, 2011
(a): There are certain areas which need to be strengthened so as to plug the loopholes crept into the electoral laws as well as to introduce some need based measures which broadly relate to: (i) Decriminalisation of Politics; (ii) Funding of Elections; (iii) Conduct and Better Management of Elections; (iv) Regulation of Political Parties; (v) Audit and Finances of Political Parties; (vi) Review of Anti-Defection Law.
(b)and(c): The Government intends to include these two proposals for discussions with the all political parties for taking a considered view in the matter.
(d): With a view to carrying out comprehensive electoral reforms, a Core- Committee has been constituted on the 1st October, 2010 under the Chairmanship of Additional Solicitor General. The Committee under the aegis of Legislative Department and in co-sponsorship of the Election Commission of India conducted seven regional consultations at Bhopal, Kolkata, Mumbai, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bengaluru and Guwahati, wherein the stakeholders have been consulted, who inter- alia included leaders and workers of the political parties, legislators, legal luminaries, representatives of NGOs, eminent persons, civil servants (serving and retired), students etc. and views have been gathered. During these consultations several issues have been brought forward which could be pondered upon. The details of these consultations are available on the website of the Ministry of Law and Justice, i.e. www.lawmin.nic.in
(e): As the matter involves deep study and careful consideration in consultations with the political parties before a decision could be arrived at, no rigid time-frame could be given at this stage.