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Clause 2 of the Bill makes a provision for making voting compulsory at elections. In this context, I would like to draw the attention of the House to the recommendations of the Committee on Electoral Reforms 1990 which is commonly known as the Dinesh Goswami Committee appointed by the Government to go into the various proposals for electoral reforms. The Committee went into the reasons and remedial measures for low percentage of polling at the elections. In this connection, the Committee also considered the question of making ""voting compulsory"". The idea was, however, not accepted because of the practical difficulties involved in its implementation and the contradictory views expressed by the members of the Committee.

In this connection, I would like to reiterate that the UPA Government views State funding of elections in its true spirit as recommended by the Committee on State Funding of Elections headed by late Shri Indrajit Gupta, as an important step in electoral reforms which will effectively deal with many problems afflicting the electoral system. As regards negative voting, it may be stated that the Election Commission of India has suggested that Rules 22 and 49B of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 may be suitably amended adding a proviso that in the ballot paper and the particulars on the ballot units, in the column relating to name of candidates, after the entry relating to the last candidate, there shall be a column ‘None of the Above’, to enable a voter to reject all the candidates, if he chooses so. The issue is also pending consideration in the Supreme Court in Writ Petition No.161 of 2004 – PUCL and Another Vs. Union of India and Another.

I once again thank the hon. Member for bringing a lively discussion on certain election laws and for focussing our attention on an important aspect of our democratic functioning. However, I fervently request the hon. Member to withdraw the Bill.

SHRI C.K. CHANDRAPPAN (TRICHUR): Sir, I would like to ask a question. The hon. Minister while replying said that one of the important aspects of the matter is electoral reforms. You have said that the UPA Government will go for electoral reforms. You also mentioned that the Government had a meeting with political parties, maybe in Nineties.

SHRI C.K. CHANDRAPPAN : It is not when there is a demand from the political parties. Suo motu the Government can take initiative to call a meeting because this is a burning issue so far as democracy is concerned.

SHRI K. VENKATAPATHY: Yes, we are discussing about electoral reforms also. We can convene a meeting. We can discuss and arrive at a consensus.

SHRI SANDEEP DIKSHIT (EAST DELHI): Sir, with your permission, I would like to say something. There is a discussion under Rule 193 slated for this session only on electoral reforms. I would now like to request the Chair to use his office. Let it be assured that the discussion also takes place under Rule 193.