(Vide Para 12.1)
MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL REFORMS AND THEIR PRESENT STATUS
1.
The
Election Commission should be a three member body.
2.
The
appointment of Chief Election Commissioner should be in consultation with the Chief
Justice of India and to Leader of the Opposition. The Chief Election
Commissioner should be consulted for appointment of other Members. %
3.
The
tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners
should be for a term of five years or sixtyfive years of age, whichever is
later and they should in no case continue in office beyond sixtyfive years and
for more than ten years in all. **
4.
The
Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners should be made
ineligible not only for any appointment under the Government but also to any
office including the office of Governor. %
5.
A
fresh delimitation on the basis of 1981 census. Rotation of seats reserved for
Scheduled Castes.%
6.
Introduction
of multi-purpose photo identity cards. ***
7.
No
individual to be allowed to contest from more than two constituencies.$
8.
Non-serious
candidates to be discouraged. Security
deposit of independent candidates to be raised.$
8A. Forfeiture of security deposit for
failure to secure less than 1/4th of the votes polled.%
9.
Stature
backing for important provisions of model code of conduct.@
10.
Use
of electronic voting machines in all future elections.
11.
A
series of legislative measures to be undertaken to eradicate booth capturing,
rigging and intimidation of voters. $
12.
State
funding in kind to a limited extent to recognized political parties to begin
with. %
13.
Playing
of automobiles, carrying of firearms, sale and distribution of liquor on poll day to be electoral offences.$
14.
Disqualification
under Anti-defection law to be restricted to voluntary resignation and voting
or abstention against party whip only in the case of vote of confidence, money
bill or vote of thanks to the President.
President or Governor to decide the issue of disqualification after
obtaining the Election Commission's opinion. %
15.
Constitution
of an expert Committee to go further into the question of change of the present
electoral system.%
16.
A
Standing Committee to the Parliament to go into all electoral matters.%
17.
The
expenditure of the Commission should continue to be 'voted'.%
18.
Punishment
for breach of official duty in connection with preparation, revision etc., of
electoral roll to be made more stringent.$
19.
Candidates
of recognized political parties to be arranged above other candidates in the
ballot paper. $
20.
Statutory
status to Commission's Observers and empowering them to stop counting of votes
in certain situations.$
21.
Empowering
Election Commission to countermand an election or order a repoll in entire
constituency or part thereof even otherwise than on a report from the Returning
Officer.%
22.
Amplification
of offence of booth capturing, making it cognizable and more stringent for
Government servants.$
23.
Bye-elections
should be held within a period of six months of the occurrence of the vacancy.$
24.
No
countermanding of an election in case of death of an independent candidate.$$
25.
Enhancement
of punishment for disturbances at election meetings.$
26.
Prohibition
of public meetings or procession in connection with an election during a period
of 48 hours ending with hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll.$
27.
Enhancement
of the penalty for illegal hiring or procuring of conveyances for free
conveyance of the voters to any polling station.$
28.
Prohibition
on any person other than authorized persons going armed within the
neighbourhood of polling station.$
29.
Amendment
to section 135 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. $
30.
Grant
of paid holiday to employees of any industrial undertaking or establishment on
the day of poll. $
31.
No
spirituous, fermented or intoxicating liquors or other substances to be sold,
given or distributed at a hotel, eating house etc. within a polling area on a
polling day.$
32.
Conviction
under section 2 and 3 of the Prevention
of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 to lead to disqualification for a period of six years from the date of
such conviction.$
33.
Restoration
of pre-1974 position in respect of ceiling on election expenses.
*The Election Commission was
made a three-member body with effect from 1.10.1993.
**The CEC and other Election
Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Amendment Act, 1994 provides that the
tenure of the CEC and other Election Commissioners would be for six years or
sixty-five years of age whichever is earlier.
*** The Scheme of issuance
of photo identity cards to voters has been accepted by Government.
@ Specific provision was
inserted in March, 1992 in the Representation of the People Act, 1951. To empower the Commission to use EVMs at
election. Use of Electronic Vote Machines
in selected constituencies was made during Assembly elections held in November,
1998.
$ These recommendations have
been given effect to by the Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 1996.
$$ The
Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1996 provides for non-countermanding
of an election in case of death of any candidate.
% No
final decision has been taken.
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