ELECTORAL REFORM Guided by: Mr. Kishore Dere
SUBMITTED BY: VIDUR DWIVEDI B.A. LL.B. (HONS.) 9TH SEMESTER
Acknowledgement
Firstly, I would like to e!ress "y !ro#ou$d se$se o# %r&titude tow&rds the &l"i%hty #or !ro'idi$% "e with the &uthe$ti( (ir(u"st&$(es whi(h were "&$d&tory #or the (o"!letio$ o# "y !ro)e(t. I #eel "ysel# hi%hly deli%hted, &s it %i'es "e i$(redible !le&sure to !rese$t &$ &ssi%$"e$t work o$ *ELECTORAL REFORM+. I would like to e$li%hte$ "y re&ders re%&rdi$% this to!i( &$d I ho!e I h&'e tried "y best to !&'e the w&y #or bri$%i$% "ore lu"i$osity to this to!i(. I &" %r&te#ul to "y -e<h L&w Te&(her Mr. Kishore Dere who h&s hel!ed "e to 'e$ture this !ro)e(t &s well &s the libr&ry o# F&(ulty o# L&w, &"i& Milli& Isl&"i&. I would like to th&$k &ll (o$(er$ #or their i$terest i$ !ro'idi$% "e & %ood b&(k u! "&teri&l.
/idur Dwi'edi 0.A.LL.0 1-o$s2 3 th +e"ester 4th 5e&r
TABLE OF CONTENTS 6. Abstr&(t 7. 0iblio%r&!hy
I$di& h&s the disti$(tio$ o# bei$% the l&r%est de"o(r&(y o# the world. Ele(tio$s &re the "ost i"!ort&$t &$d i$te%r&l !&rt o# !oliti(s i$ & de"o(r&ti( syste" o# %o'er$&$(e. 8hile !oliti(s is
the &rt &$d !r&(ti(e o# de&li$% with !oliti(&l !ower, ele(tio$ is & !ro(ess o# le%iti"i9&tio$ o# su(h !ower. De"o(r&(y (&$ i$deed #u$(tio$ o$ly u!o$ this #&ith th&t ele(tio$s &re #ree &$d #&ir &$d $ot ri%%ed &$d "&$i!ul&ted, th&t they &re e##e(ti'e i$stru"e$ts o# &s(ert&i$i$% !o!ul&r will both i$ re&lity &$d i$ #or" &$d &re $ot "ere ritu&ls (&l(ul&ted to %e$er&te illusio$ o# di##ere$(e to "&ss o!i$io$, it (&$$ot sur'i'e without #ree &$d #&ir ele(tio$s. The ele(tio$ &t !rese$t &re $ot bei$% hold i$ ide&l (o$ditio$s be(&use o# the e$or"ous &"ou$t o# "o$ey reuired to be s!e$t &$d l&r%e "us(le !ower $eeded #or wi$$i$% the ele(tio$s. 8hile the #irst three %e$er&l ele(tio$s 163;7<=72 i$ our (ou$try were by &$d l&r%e #ree &$d #&ir, & dis(er$ible de(li$e i$ st&$d&rds be%&$ with the #ourth %e$er&l ele(tio$ i$ 63=>. ?o su(h e'e$ts were re!orted till the #ourth %e$er&l ele(tio$. O'er the ye&rs, I$di&$ ele(tor&l syste" su##ers #ro" serious i$#ir"ities. The ele(tio$ !ro(ess i$ our (ou$try is the !ro%e$itor o# !oliti(&l (orru!tio$. The distortio$ i$ its worki$% &!!e&red #or the #irst ti"e i$ the #i#th %e$er&l ele(tio$s, 63>6. A$d "ulti!lied i$ the su((essi'e ele(tio$s es!e(i&lly those held i$ ei%hties &$d there&#ter. +o"e o# the (&$did&te &$d !&rties !&rti(i!&te i$ the !ro(ess o# ele(tio$s to wi$ the" &t &ll (osts, irres!e(ti'e o# "or&l '&lues. The ide&l (o$ditio$s reuire th&t &$ ho$est, &$d u!ri%ht !erso$ who is !ubli( s!irited &$d w&$ts to ser'e the !eo!le, should be &ble to (o$test &$d %et ele(ted &s !eo!le s re!rese$t&ti'es. 0ut i$ &(tu&l #&(t, su(h & !erso$ &s &#ores&id h&s $o ‟
(h&$(e o# either (o$testi$% or i$ &$y (&se wi$$i$% the ele(tio$. Free &$d #&ir ele(tio$s &re esse$ti&l i$ & he<hy de"o(r&(y. It is &$ esse$ti&l (o$ditio$ #or the su((ess o# de"o(r&(y th&t !eo!le "&i$t&i$ their &lle%i&$(e tow&rds the de"o(r&ti( i$stitutio$s b&sed o$ rule o# l&w. The "ore the ele(tio$s &re #ree &$d #&ir, the stro$%er the &lle%i&$(e the !eo!le will h&'e tow&rds de"o(r&ti( i$stitutio$s. Co$tr&ry to this, i# the ele(tio$s &re$@t #ree &$d #&ir, the !eo!le will $ot h&'e #&ith i$ de"o(r&(y. I$deed, the b&ttles o# b&llots h&'e bee$ tur$ed i$to b&ttles o# bullets. O$ the ele(tio$ d&ys booths &re (&!tured, !olli$% &%e$ts &tt&(ked &$d bo"bs throw$ to !re'e$t we&ker se(tio$s #ro" e'er wisi$% their #r&$(hise.
PROBLEMS OF THE POLITICAL INSTABILITY, HUNG PARLIAMENT AN ASSEMBLIES
There h&s bee$ & %re&t de&l o# !oliti(&l i$st&bility duri$% the l&st de(&des. The result h&s bee$ u$st&ble &d"i$istr&tio$ &$d u$st&ble !oli(ies, the h&ll"&rk o# "i$ority %o'er$"e$ts. The re&so$s &re $ot #&r to seek. The 8est"i$ster Model &do!ted by us, works "&i$ly o$ the b&sis o# & li"ited $u"ber o# !oliti(&l !&rties. I$ the $ited Ki$%do", there &re o$ly two "&)or !oliti(&l !&rties. Co$tr&rily i$ I$di&, !oliti(is&tio$ &t %rou$d le'el (ou!led with & hi%hly #r&%"e$ted so(iety, h&s %i'e$ rise to & "ulti!li(ity o# !oliti(&l !&rties. E&(h o$e o# these eists $ot o$ & di##ere$t ideolo%y or e(o$o"i( !ro%r&""e, but o$ the b&sis o# h&'i$% $ursed & $&rrow !&ro(hi&l, "ostly (&ste or reli%io$ b&sed, ide$tity #or itsel# &$d its b&$d o# #ollowers. E'e$ this su!!ort is usu&lly e&r$ed $ot by doi$% so"e (o$stru(ti'e work #or the (o$(er$ed %rou! but $e%&ti'ely by b&d<"outhi$% others &$d &ll the ti"e !itti$% o$e %rou! &%&i$st the other. The result&$t di'ided 'ote h&s "&de it i$(re&si$%ly di##i(ult #or si$%le !&rties to %et & work&ble "&)ority to #or" & %o'er$"e$t &t the (e$tre, I$ order to (obble u! & work&ble "&)ority to #or" %o'er$"e$ts, (o"!ro"ises h&'e h&d to be "&de &$d &ll ideolo%y or $otio$s o# u&lity o# %o'er$&$(e h&'e dis&!!e&red #ro" the s(e$e. This h&s h&d & 'ery $e%&ti'e re!er(ussio$ o$ the u&lity o# %o'er$&$(e with se'er&l (o$seue$(es. Corru!tio$ h&s #lourished, l&w &$d order h&s su##ered &$d (o$trol "e(h&$is"s h&'e broke$ dow$ or be(o"e 'ery loose. The (o""o$ (iti9e$ h&s bee$ the 'i(ti" o# &ll result&$t "is%o'er$&$(e6 This situ&tio$ h&s %e$er&ted its ow$ deb&te &$d su%%estio$s h&'e bee$ "&de to li"it the $u"ber o# !oliti(&l !&rties &s well &s i$de!e$de$t (&$did&tes th&t &re &llowed to (o$test #or $&tio$&l ele(tio$s. Castism: Althou%h there is h&rdly &$y i$st&$(e i$ I$di& o# & !oliti(&l !&rty bei
%$tot&lly ide$ti#ied with &$y !&rti(ul&r (&ste %rou!, yet there &re (&ses o# (ert&i$ (&stes le$di$% stro$% su!!ort to !&rti(ul&r !oliti(&l !&rties. Thus while !oliti(&l !&rties stru%%le &"o$% the"sel'es, to wi$ di##ere$t (&ste %rou!s i$ their #&'our by "&ki$% o##ers to the", (&ste %rou!s too try to !ressuri9e !&rties to (hoose its "e"bers #or (&$did&ture i$ ele(tio$s, I# the (&ste %rou! is do"i$&$t &$d the !oliti(&l !&rty ,is &$ i"!ort&$t o$e, this i$ter&(tio$ is &ll the "ore !ro"i$e$t.7 I$ "&$y !oliti(&l !&rties, i$ !l&(e o# ideolo%i(&l !ol&ri9&tio$ there o((ur the deter"i$&tio$s o# !oli(ies &$d !ro%r&""es &s well &s the $o"i$&tio$ o# ele(tor&l (&$did&tes &$d the ete$sio$ o# su!!ort to the" o$ (&ste (o$sider&tio$. C&ste do"i$&tes the !oliti(&l ! P"n"nd#k"$% &A% P"# "nd '"()*"+, S-)"() C% ./00!1% Pol#t#c"l Re2o$m(3 A((e$t#ng C#4#c So4e$e#gnt* New el)#3 'on"$k P-l#()e$(, +% 5/6% / 'on"$k P-l#()e$(, +% 5/6
#ield, es!e(i&lly &t the lower le'el B.The e"er%e$(e o# re%io$&l !&rties &$d the witheri$% &w&y o# $&tio$&l outlook &$d s!irit thus sets o## &$other (risis. C&$did&tes (o"e to be ‟
sele(ted $ot i$ ter"s to &((o"!lish"e$ts, &bility &$d "erit but o$ the &!!e$d&%es o# (&ste, (reed &$d (o""u$ity. lti"&tely (&ste be(o"es the de(idi$% #&(tor o$ sele(tio$. C&ste b&sed !oliti(s &$d (&stis" &re erodi$% the u$ity !ri$(i!le i$ the $&"e o# re%io$&l &uto$o"y. ‟
Communalism: The e"er%e$(e o# I$di& &s & se(ul&r
‟
st&te, the !oliti(s o#
(o""u$&lis" &$d reli%ious #u$d&"e$t&lis" i$ the !ost
(o"!letely '&$ished #ro" the body !oliti(s o# I$di&. The dy$&"i(s o# $&tio$&l &$d st&te !oliti(s o# the l&st de(&de is & "ute wit$ess o# the (l&shes &$d (o$#li(ts betwee$ the so< (&lled +e(ul&rist &$d the (o""u$&list. Althou%h & (o"!rehe$si'e (o$stitutio$&l &"e$d"e$t 0ill 1Oth A"e$d"e$t 0ill2 &$d Re!rese$t&tio$ o# the eo!le 1A"e$d"e$t2 0ill 633B were i$trodu(ed to de
ideolo%i(&l orie$t&tio$ o# !oliti(&l !&rties. &rty dy$&"i(s i$ I$di& h&s led to the e"er%e$(e o# '&lueless !oliti(s "u(h &%&i$st the ide&ls o# the #&ther o# the $&tio$, M&h&t"& G&$dhi, who su%%ested th&t the Co$%ress !&rty should be disb&$ded &#ter the &(hie'e"e$t o# I$de!e$de$(e &$d its "e"bers should e$%&%e the"sel'es i$ the ser'i(e o# the !eo!le. 8hile G&$dhi t&u%ht us tre"e$dous sel#less$ess, sel#
i$s!ir&tio$&l '&lues, the de"o(r&ti( $or"s &$d i$stitutio$s h&'e bee$ destroyed syste"&ti(&lly o'er the l&st ye&rs o# the worki$% o# the Co$stitutio$. I$ the !ro(ess, both the !oliti(i&$s &$d !oliti(&l !&rties h&'e lost their (redibility, the ulti"&te '&lue th&t should bi$d the" with the "&sses. There see"s to be & (risis o# (h&r&(ter &"o$%st the !oliti(i&$s, &s the syste" does $ot e$(our&%e the ho$est le&der. 0e(&use o# the #&lli$% "or&l st&$d&rds both i$ the !ubli( &$d &"o$% the le&ders, (ri"i$&lis&tio$ o# !oliti(s &$d !oliti(i9&tio$ o# (ri"i$&ls h&s be(o"e the $or". Due to de%e$er&tio$ o# le&dershi!, !&rties h&'e bee$ e$t&$%led i$ !ower stru%%le #or the s&ke o# !erso$&l e$ds. I$ & "or&l !ursuit o# !ower !olities, e'ery "&)or !l&yer see"s to be !l&yi$% & $o holds b&rred %&"e. The G&$dhi&$ '&lue o# the s!irit o# ser'i(e to the $&tio$ h&s be(o"e (o"!letely eti$(t #ro" the !rese$t d&y !oliti(s. The "o$ey &$d "us(le !owers &re the b&si( e'ils th&t !ollute &$d de#ile the !ro(ess &$d "oti'&te !&rti(i!&$ts to resort to "&l !r&(ti(es i$ ele(tio$s. This le&ds to the de(li$e o# "or&l '&lues i$ the &re$& o# ele(tor&l !oliti(s. R&di(&l "e&sures< le%isl&ti'e &d"i$istr&ti'e &$d re#or"&tory &re $eeded to ste" the root th&t is e&ti$% 'iti&te o# the de"o(r&ti( !ro(ess. A %&"e (&$ be #&ir o$ly i# the !l&yers &re ho$est &$d true to its s!irit.
Steps Taken b t!e "#$e%n&ent The re!orts o# '&rious EC &$d & $u"ber o# #or"&l i$#or"&l %rou! dis(ussio$s &t '&rious #oru"s &$d by i$di'idu&ls h&'e (&te%ori(&lly !oi$ted out the de#e(ts i$ the ele(tor&l syste", so"e o# the" h&'e 'e$tured to (o"e out with so"e use#ul su%%estio$s, yet the !roble"s re"&i$i$% to be &s (riti(&l &$d (h&lle$%i$% &s e'er. The oi$t &rli&"e$t&ry Co""ittee o$ A"e$d"e$ts to Ele(tio$ L&w 163>6<>72, the T&rku$de Co""ittee Re!ort o# 63>;, the Gosw&"i Co""ittee Re!ort o# 633, The Co$stitutio$ 0ill 6334 &$d the Re!rese$t&tio$ o# the eo!le 1+e(o$d A"e$d"e$t2 0ill, 6334 1!&ssed by &rli&"e$t&ry2, the Ele(tio$ Co""issio$ s Re(o""e$d&tio$s i$ 633 &$d ‟
I$dr&)it
Gu!t& Co""ittee Re!ort o# 633 et(. !rodu(ed (o"!rehe$si'e set o#
re(o""e$d&tio$s re%&rdi$% ele(tor&l re#or"s. A #ew re#or"s h&'e bee$ i"!le"e$ted but & lot h&s to be do$e. The whole (ou$try is $ow e!ressi$% serious (o$(er$ o'er the &$ti
!roble". The E
?&'i$ 0. Ch&w&l& the CECs &lso #&(ed the s&"e !roble". CEC, T. +. Krish$&"urthy h&s i$ & !ro!os&l letter su%%ested to M M&$"oh&$ +i$%h & set o# !oll re#or"s th&t &$yo$e (h&r%e sheeted &t le&st si "o$ths be#ore ele(tio$s should be b&rred #ro" (o$testi$% ele(tio$s. The EC h&s t&ke$ se'er&l $ew i$iti&ti'es i$ the re(e$t !&st &s & use o# st&te ow$ed Ele(tro$i( Medi& #or bro&d(&st or tele(&st by !oliti(&l !&rties, (he(ki$% : (ri"i$&lis&tio$ o# !olities, !ro'idi$% with ele(tor&l ide$ti#y (&rs, stre&"li$i$% the !ro(edure #or re%istr&tio$ o# !oliti(&l !&rties &$d reuiri$% the" to hold re%ul&r or%&$i9&tio$&l ele(tio$s, & '&riety o# "e&sures o# stri(t (o"!li&$(e o# Model Code o# Co$du(t #or !ro'idi$% & le'el !l&yi$% #ield to (o$test&$ts duri$% the ele(tio$s, &$d so o$. I$ I$di&, the 0C h&s est&blished & set o# %uideli$es k$ow$ &s the Model Code o# Co$du(t th&t "ust be obeyed by !oliti(&l !&rties &$d (&$did&tes i$ the ru$
E'et#%a' Re#%&s The #ollowi$% ele(tor&l re#or"s h&'e bee$ i$trodu(ed i$ out ele(tor&l syste" i$ the l&st #ew ye&rs. 1. Lowering of voting Age: The (o$stitutio$ A(t. 63 &"e$ds Arti(le B7= by
substituti$% the words @6 ye&rs@ #or @76 ye&rs@. This (&"e i$to #or(e o$ 7 M&r(h, 633. Thus !&rli&"e$t throu%h & (o$stitutio$&l &"e$d"e$t i$ 633 redu(ed the "i$i"u" 'oti$% &%e #ro" 76 to 6. For the #irst ti"e, &s "&$y &s B;.> "illio$ 'oters i$ this &%e %rou! eer(ised their ri%ht to ele(t re!rese$t&ti'es i$ the 633 ele(tio$s. 2. Deputation to Election Commission : $der the Re!rese$t&tio$ o# the eo!le A(t, 63, & $ew se(tio$ 6B(( w&s i$serted whi(h !ro'ides th&t o##i(ers or st&## e$%&%ed i$ !re!&r&tio$, re'isio$ &$d (orre(tio$ o# ele(tor&l rolls #or ele(tio$s sh&ll be dee"ed to
be o$ de!ut&tio$ o# Ele(tio$ Co""issio$ #or the !eriod o# su(h e"!loy"e$t &$d su(h !erso$$el sh&ll duri$% th&t !eriod, be sub)e(t to (o$trol, su!eri$te$de$(e &$d dis(i!li$e o# Ele(tio$ Co""issio$. . !ncrease in num"er of proposers : ?u"ber o# ele(tors who &re reuired to si%$ &s !ro!osers i$ $o"i$&tio$ !&!ers #or ele(tio$s to (ou$(il o# st&tes &$d +t&te Le%isl&ti'e Cou$(il h&s bee$ i$(re&sed to te$ !er(e$t o# the ele(tors o# the (o$stitue$(y or te$ su(h ele(tors whi(he'er is less to !re'e$t #ri'olous (&$did&tes. #. Electronic Voting Mac$ine: The Re!rese$t&tio$ o# the !eo!le A(t, 63;6 w&s &"e$ded to #&(ilities use o# ele(tro$i( 'oti$% "&(hi$es i$ ele(tio$s. %. &oot$ capturing : +e(tio$ ; A h&s bee$ i$serted i$ the Re!rese$t&tio$ o# the !eo!le A(t 63;6 by A(t 6 o# 633 !ro'idi$% #or &d)our$"e$t o# !ole or (ou$ter"&$di$% o# ele(tio$s be(&use o# booth (&!turi$%. 0ooth (&!turi$% h&= bee$ de#i$ed i$ se(tio$ 6B; A o# the Re!rese$t&tio$ o# the !eo!le A(t 63;6. I# be(&use o# booth (&!turi$% result o# !oll result o# (ou$ti$% (&$$ot be &s(ert&i$ed retur$i$% o##i(er will re!ort the "&tter #orthwith to Ele(tio$ Co""issio$. Ele(tio$ Co""issio$ o$ su(h re!ort "&y either de(l&re the !oll &t the !&rti(ul&r !olli$% st&tio$ &s 'oid &!!oi$t & d&te #or #resh !oll or (ou$t re"&$d ele(tio$ i$ th&t (o$stitue$(y. '. Poll Law (r)inance: A $ot&ble hurdle i$ holdi$% ele(tio$s i$ u$)&b i$ the e'e$tu&lity o# the de&th o# &$ i$de!e$de$t (&$did&te w&s e##e(ti'ely re"o'ed o$ &$u&ry 4, 6337 with the !ro"ul%&tio$ o# &$ ordi$&$(e u$der whi(h the !&rli&"e$t&ry &$d st&te &sse"bly ele(tio$s will $ot be (ou$ter"&$ded i$ su(h (&ses. The ordi$&$(e &"e$ds, the Re!rese$t&tio$ o# the !eo!le A(t.
S*++est,#ns To stre&" li$e the syste" we w&$t r&di(&l re#or"s i$ the e$tire ele(tor&l syste". Ele(tor&l re#or"s &$d other "e&sures h&'e be(o"e i"!er&ti'e to o'er(o"e the thre&t to de"o(r&(y &$d (&rry de"o(r&(y !ro(ess #orw&rd. To i"!ro'e the dr&w b&(ks &$d loo!holes i$ the ele(tor&l syste" we !ro!ose these re#or"s. 6. *eorgani+ation of Election Commission: To st&rt with let us (o$sider the &!!oi$t"e$t o# the Chie# Ele(tio$ Co""issio$er whi(h &s !er the !rese$t !ro(edure (&$$ot be (o$sidered to be tot&lly #ree #ro" !oliti(&l bi&s &s the &!!oi$t"e$t is "&de o$ the &d'i(e o# the le&der o# the ruli$% !&rty i$ the -ouse. Co$sideri$% the '&rious su%%estio$s re%&rdi$% the &!!oi$t"e$t o# (hie# Ele(tio$ Co""issio$er, the #ollowi$% "e(h&$is" would see" to be & %ood (o"!ro"ise &$d & !r&(ti(&l !ro!ositio$. The
&!!oi$t"e$t o# the Chie# Ele(tio$ Co""issio$er (&$ be "&de throu%h & (o""ittee (o$sisti$% o# the Chie# usti(e o# I$di&, the le&ders o# the ruli$% !&rty &$d "&i$ o!!ositio$ !&rty i$ !&rli&"e$t. The (o""ittee (&$ "&ke & !&$el o# #ew e"i$e$t !erso$s e&(h o$e o# the" sele(ted u$&$i"ously, &$d #orw&rd it to the !reside$t #or #i$&l sele(tio$. I$ this w&y the o'er whel"i$% s&y th&t the ruli$% !&rty h&s i$ the &!!oi$t"e$t o# the Chie# Ele(tio$ Co""issio$er (&$ be $eutr&li9ed. Further, it should be "&de "&$d&tory th&t the Chie# Ele(tio$ Co""issio$er o$ (o"!letio$ o# his ter" will $ot be eli%ible #or (o$sider&tio$ #or &$y o##i(e o# !ro#it. -owe'er, & retiri$% Chie# Ele(tio$ Co""issio$er "&y be !ro'ided &$ &deu&te (o"!e$s&tio$ !&(k&%e. The "e"bers o# the Ele(tio$ Co""issio$ should be &!!oi$ted by the s&"e (o""ittee &s w&s !ro!osed #or the sele(tio$ o# the Chie# Ele(tio$ Co""issio$er, but with the Chie# Ele(tio$ Co""issio$er &s &$ e
;. Discouraging ake Can)i)ates : To (urb tri'olous (&$did&tures the Ele(tio$ Co""issio$ "&de '&rious re(o""e$d&tio$s: &. R&ise the se(urity de!osit #or the Lok +&bh& &$d +t&te Asse"blyH b. de$i&l o# #&(ilities like tele!ho$e (o$$e(tio$, subsidi9ed !ri$ti$% !&!er, et(., to i$de!e$de$t (&$did&tes, (. Disu&li#yi$% (&$did&tes who #&il to !oll &t le&st 7 '&lid 'otes. The #irst two su%%estio$s "&y be (o$sidered, but the l&st o$e is &bsolutely 'i(iousH so is the su%%estio$ th&t there should be (o"!lete b&$ o$ i$de!e$de$ts. =. Elections /ime /a"le: I$ order to hel! redu(e the he&'y e!e$ses i$(urred by the (&$did&tes i$ ele(tio$ e'eri$%. the s(ruti$y o# $o"i$&tio$ should be t&ke$ u! o$ the d&y &#ter the l&st d&te #or "&ki$% $o"i$&tio$s, the i$ter'&l &llowed &#ter the s(ruti$y o# $o"i$&tio$s #or the withdr&w&l o# (&$did&tures should be redu(ed to 7 d&ys &$d the "i$i"u" !eriod !res(ribed #or the ele(tio$ (&"!&i%$ should be redu(ed to 6; d&ys. >. 0ol)ing &,elections: It w&s &lle%ed th&t so"e by
1. 4se of *a)io an) /.V.: R&dio &$d Tele'isio$ should be &llowed to be used by &ll
!oliti(&l !&rties #or ele(tio$ !ro!&%&$d& o$ so"e (o$sidered #or"ul&. The 'otes se(ured by the !oliti(&l !&rties i$ e&rlier ele(tio$s (ould be & r&tio$&l b&sis. 1#. Dela, in Elections: This (re&tes & lot o# bitter$ess &$d sus!i(io$. A "&$d&tory !ro'isio$ should there#ore be "&de to hold su(h ele(tio$s withi$ si "o$ths #ro" the d&y o# '&(&$(y or dissolutio$. 6;. 1'. Election E5pen)iture: E!e$ses i$(urred by the (&$did&te &$d the !&rty should be t&ke$ i$to (o$sider&tio$ while &((ou$ti$% #or ele(tio$ e!e$diture. -&'i$% re%&rd to the !rese$t (osts, !ro!er li"its o$ e!e$diture should be #ied i$ (o$sult&tio$ with the o!!ositio$ !&rties. All these e!e$ses "ust be reuired to be e&"i$ed by (h&r&(tered &((ou$t&$ts &$d &$y #&lse e$tries should be "&de ri%orously !u$ish&ble.
Go(w"m# Comm#ttee;( Recommend"t#on( A s!e(i&l (o""ittee u$der the (h&ir"&$shi! o# Mr. Di$esh Gosw&"i the$ L&w Mi$ister, h&d bee$ set u! e&rly i$ 633 to study the !roble" i$ det&il &$d su%%est "e&sures #or re"edyi$% the #lows i$ the syste". The (o""ittee h&s "&de the #ollowi$% re(o""e$d&tio$s. 6. O$ booth (&!turi$%, the (o""ittee #elt th&t e'e$ &#ter the 63 &"e$d"e$t o# the Re!rese$t&tio$ o# the !eo!le@s A(t the e'il !ersisted &$d re(o""e$ded & series o# le%isl&ti'e "e&sures to er&di(&te booth (&!turi$%, ri%%i$% &$d i$ti"id&tio$. The re(o""e$ded ste!s i$(lude orderi$% o# re!oll or (ou$ter"&$di$% $ot o$ly o$ the re!ort o# the retur$i$% o##i(er but e'e$ otherwise &$d %i'i$% the (o""issio$ the
!ower to &!!oi$t i$'esti%&ti$% &%e$(ies, !rose(uti$% &%e$(ies &$d &sk #or the (o$stitutio$ o# s!e(i&l (ourts. 7. The (o""ittee &lso (&lled #or &"e$d"e$t o# the &$tire#le(tio$ l&ws to restri(t disu&li#i(&tio$ o$ly to those (&ses where o$ ele(ted "e"ber 'olu$t&rily %i'es u! his "e"bershi! o# the !oliti(&l !&rty. The !ower o# de(idi$% the le%&l &s!e(t o# disu&li#i(&tio$ should be t&ke$ &w&y #ro" the s!e&ker or (h&ir"&$ &$d e$trusted to the !reside$t or Go'er$or who will &(t &((ordi$% to the Ele(tio$ Co""issio$@s re(o""e$d&tio$s. B. There w&s di##ere$(e o# o!i$io$ o$ swit(hi$% o'er #ro" the !rese$t ele(tor&l syste" to !ro!ortio$&l re!rese$t&tio$ or the list syste". The (o""ittee h&s. I$ this (&se, re(o""e$ded (o$stitutio$ o# &$ e!erts (o""ittee by the L&w "i$istry i$ (o$sult&tio$ with the Ele(tio$ Co""issio$. 4. A #resh deli"it&tio$ o$ the b&sis o# the 636 (e$sus &$d & !ro'isio$ #or rot&tio$ o# se&ts reser'ed #or s(heduled (&stes. hoto ide$tity should be "&de & "ulti. It (&lled #or & b&$ o$ tr&$s#er o# o##i(i&ls &$d st&## (o$$e(ted with ele(tio$ work &$d %i'i$% the (o""issio$@s obser'ers st&tutory !owers. . The !&$el (&lled #or #ii$% o# & si "o$th ti"e li"it #or holdi$% bye4 &$d "&ki$% u$&uthori9ed e!e$diture &$ o##e$(e. 66. There should be &!!oi$t"e$t o# &deu&te $u"ber o# &d
67. It &lso s&id th&t & st&$di$% (o""ittee o# !&rli&"e$t should be (o$stituted to %o i$to &ll "&tters #ro" ti"e to ti"e &s ele(tor&l re#or"s were & (o$ti$uous !ro(ess. The !ro!osed le%isl&tio$ is e!e(ted to be b&sed o$ this re!ort &$d the !ro!os&ls sub"itted by Ele(tio$ Co""issio$.
