EC: Disqualify those named for bribing voter

New Delhi, April 30

The Election Commission  will soon ask the government to disqualify for up to five years candidates named in chargesheets for bribing voters, a move that comes after it found that “innovative ways” were used to lure people in a Tamil Nadu bypoll.

The poll watchdog has decided to write to the Law Ministry seeking changes in the Representation of People Act to ensure that candidates contesting the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls are disqualified for up to five years once they are chargesheeted by a court.

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Earlier this month, the commission had indefinitely put off the RK Nagar Assembly bypoll after it found that money power was used to influence voters. The bypoll was to be held on April 12. It was necessitated following the demise of J Jayalalithaa.

In its lengthy order, the commission pointed out that political parties and their leaders used “innovative ways” to bribe voters to outwit law enforcement authorities mandated with keeping an eye on poll expenditure.

Many complaints were received by the commission on inducements given to voters by distributing money and gifts in innovative forms such as tokens for milk, prepaid phone recharge coupons, newspaper subscription, money transfer in no-frill bank accounts and even mobile wallet payment.

Earlier, the poll panel had asked the government to give it powers under the election law to countermand an election where money is misused. At present, the EC can countermand an election following use of muscle power.

It can use its constitutional powers under Article 324 to countermand a poll over use of money power, but it wants the power to be vested with it under law. The logic is that it does not want to use its constitutional powers too frequently. — PTI

Simultaneous polls by 2024: NITI AAYOG

New Delhi: The Niti Aayog has suggested a synchronised two-phase Lok Sabha and assembly polls from 2024 so as to ensure minimum ‘campaign-mode’ disruption to governance. The policy think-tank has said implementing the proposal may necessitate “a maximum one-time curtailment or extension of some state assemblies”. It has made the Election Commission the nodal agency to look into the suggestion. PTI