APENDIX-XII
(vide para 12.1)
THE PROPOSALS ON ELECTORAL
REFORMS ENACTED BY THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1996
1.
Enhancement
of punishment for breach of official duty in connection with preparation of
electoral rolls etc.
2.
Disqualification
of a person held guilty under sections
2 and 3 of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
3.
Statutory
backing to observers appointed by the Election Commission of India and
empowering them to direct the Returning Officer, pending decision of the
Election Commission of India, to stop the counting or declaration of the result
in case large scale booth capturing has taken place.
4.
Reduction
in minimum campaign period to fourteen days.
5.
Increase
in security deposit and laying the requirement of ten proposers in case of an
independent candidate.
6.
Restriction on a candidate from contesting in more than
two constituencies of the same class.
7.
Arrangement
of names of candidates of recognized political parties above the names of
independent candidates on the ballot paper.
8.
Non-countermanding
of election even in case of death of a candidate of a recognized political
party.
9.
Amplification
of the provision relating to prohibition on public meetings so as to prohibit
other forms of electioneering as well during 48 hours ending with the hour
fixed for conclusion of the poll.
10.
Enhancement
of punishment for disturbance at public meetings and making the offence
cognizable.
11.
Enhancement
of punishment for the offence of hiring or procuring of any vehicle etc., for
free conveyance of any elector to or from any polling station.
12.
Prohibition
on going armed to or near a polling station on the day of poll by making it an
electoral offence.
13.
Amplification
of scope of the provision which makes the removal of ballot paper from polling
station an offence.
14.
Amplification
of the offence of booth capturing as also punishment thereof and making the offence cognizable.
15.
(i)
Grant of paid holiday to employees of any
business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment on poll day.
(ii)
Ban on sale/distribution of liquor etc.,
for 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of the poll.
16.
Holding
of bye-election within a period of six months.
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