Indian Kanoon - Search engine for Indian Law

Title: Discussion regarding electoral reforms.

16.49 hrs. DISCUSSION UNDER RULE 193 Electoral Reforms – Contd.

MR. CHAIRMAN : Now, we will take up Item No. 13, discussion under Rule 193 – Electoral Reforms. सभी माननीय सदस्यों से यह अपेक्षा की जाती है कि वे कम-से-कम शब्दों में अपनी बात को रखेंगे और मुख्य बिंदुओं तथा सुझावों पर ही प्रकाश डालेंगे।

SHRI SHRI V. KISHORE CHANDRA S. DEO (PARVATIPURAM): Mr. Chairman, I will just make a few points. Basically, I am not going in for a rambling political speech. Yesterday, when the House was adjourned, I was mentioning that we should have photo identity cards which will serve all purposes. I had said that should activate the electronic voting machine. This is basically to eliminate the prospects of booth capturing and to reduce the role of criminals during the electoral process.

I will not take much of your time as you have asked me to conclude. I would like to thank you for this opportunity.

SHRI MADHUSUDAN MISTRY (SABARKANTHA): Sir, please give me permission for a minute to make a suggestion. I would like to request that Law Minister should call a meeting of MPs to listen to these electoral reforms. This is a very important subject. Either he can call a Seminar in Annexe or anywhere else. That would really be very helpful. It is because a lot of people will not get an opportunity to speak here.

MR. CHAIRMAN: Okay, you can request him personally. There is no problem.

DR. M. JAGANNATH (NAGAR KURNOOL): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I would like to congratulate you for initiating this debate on electoral reforms under Rule 193. At the present juncture, this is very much needed. The framers of the Constitution would have never thought that we would be having such a situation in our country after 57 years of Independence.

Sir, the judiciary is interfering at every level and this is creating a very awkward situation for us. The Government is taking the plea that there should be political consensus for enforcing electoral reforms. But we have seen how many transformations have been taking place in this country in these 57 years after Independence. Many things have been decided by consensus. If the Government has the will, then they should immediately initiate the process of consultations with all political parties and create a consensus for bringing in electoral reforms. We have been discussing this subject in every Lok Sabha, but the Government is not taking any action.

Any discussion on electoral reforms should be directed to reinforce and strengthen the people’s right to vote without fear or favour, for which, I think, the compulsory voting system should not be accepted.

As many hon. Members have pointed out, the turnout of voters in elections has been declining. The percentage of voting, year after year, is found to be diminishing. The reason for this is because of the loss of faith in election norms and also the fact the political parties as well as candidates are not fulfilling the electoral promises and manifestoes put before the people.