Electoral reforms

In a significant step towards state funding of parliamentary and assembly elections, the law ministry has been asked to formulate “concrete proposals“ in this regard despite the Election Commission's reservations. A group of ministers to tackle corruption, headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, has asked the law ministry to formulate “concrete proposals on constitutional and statutory amendments which are required for introducing reforms relating to state funding of elections“, a statement issued by the ministry of personnel said.
“The state will pay only the legal expenses which is not the concern as people spend crores in elections,“ chief election commissioner (CEC) S.Y.Quraishi said when asked for his reaction to the government move.
The issue of state funding of elections has been debated for years but due to a lack of consensus, no decision could be taken. The law ministry plans to hold an all-party meeting on electoral reforms in the coming days in which the issue of state funding of elections could also come up. Quraishi said state funding will “not solve the problem of black money“ which afflicts the process.
The inclusion of right to reject proposal in voting, said Quraishi, could be misused to put out an unintended political message, especially in places such as Kashmir and the north-eastern states where people already feel alienated. “We have to see the implication of everything for the country,“ said the CEC advocating 49-O button in electronic voting machines (EVMs) instead, which helps voters express their unhappiness over the candidates.
He said, “Instead of a negative force of right to reject, why don't you select a good candidate.“ The CEC said the commission had recommended for having 49-O button in EVMs to guard the privacy of voters.“Because if you do not go to vote, one could be intimidated. Secondly, somebody may go in your place to vote instead of you. To guard against this, we have suggested having 49-O button,“ Quraishi said.
He said the button did not imply or mean the right to reject. “It will only mean you will be able to express your opinion against a candidate. It will not count in your votes.“ On the right to recall plan, the CEC said, “It is not possible in India, which is a large country. It is there in smaller countries like Switzerland. It can be there in a panchayat election, but not in bigger elections.“
He said, “Every loser will start the right to reject from the day he loses“, and suggested that voter education as a good solution to it. “We can instead educate the voters to come out in large numbers and vote for a good candidate.