Chief Election Commissioner reminds government regarding pending electoral reforms

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Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Kumar has written to Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad requesting for quick action on the electoral reform proposals awaiting with the government.

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One of the proposed reforms is an enhanced two-year jail term for those providing incorrect information in their poll affidavit. The present imprisonment period is six months. This is the key proposal of electoral reform.

A two-year jail term could bar the candidate from contesting elections for six years where as the present period does not lead to disqualification.

Another reform proposed by EC is making paid news an electoral offence under the Representation of the People Act to provide a strong check against malpractice.

The poll panel reminded the CEC, has also put forward a ban on political advertisements in newspapers during the ‘silence period’ between the end of the campaign and the day of polling (48 hours) so that the electorate is not guided and can exercise the vote with a free mind.

The reform would require changes in the Representation of the People Act.

At present only the electronic media is prohibited from showing election publicity material during the 48 hours before conclusion of polling. Hence it has been recommended to bring the print media under the ambit of Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Another key reform proposed relates to linking electoral roll with the Aadhaar ecosystem to eliminate multiple enrolments.