CEC advocates for strict imlementation of model code of conduct
Guwahati:The Election Commission of India on Tuesday regretted lack of uniform application of model code of conduct across states and said it needs to be more aggressive in implementation of rules and action against violators.
“We really regret if there is any lack in implementing the model code of conduct strictly. It is not uniform in application of model codes of conduct across all the states in the country,” Chief Election Commissioner H S Brahma said.
The implementation of the code of conduct should be uniform and strict, he added. When pointed out that no action is usually taken except issuing a show cause notice to any violators of the rules, Brahma said, “I agree that we need to be more aggressive. We would like to bring stronger actions. A notice needs to be followed by logical action.” Stressing that the election watchdog needs to be more strict, he said the agency would ensure definite enforcement of the model code of conduct.
Talking about electoral reforms, the Chief Election Commissioner said that it must be carried out along with political reforms to get any positive result. He expressed happiness that the Law Commission’s report had incorporated about 95 per cent of ECI’s suggestions and if the government accepted these, it would have a positive impact. On paid news, Brahma said, “I expect the media to maintain some discipline.
It is a responsibility to give the true picture and bring out the best in the world. I don’t blame the media (journalists), but the management must be strict.” Asked about political funding, he said there is no bar in taking donation from Indian individuals and companies, but no foreign funding was allowed except NRIs who legally were voters in this country.
“All political parties submit their balance sheets by September-October. If they do not, then we issue notices to them. Also, there is no need to mention the source of funding if the donation is less than Rs 20,000,” he said.
Meanwhile, The Election Commission of India today said it would complete linking of Aadhaar numbers with voter photo identity cards across the country, except North East, by August this year. “By May, the Southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa will complete the linking. This will be first time in India. This will completely eliminate duplication of 85 crore Indian voters,” Chief Election Commissioner H S Brahma told reporters here.
The linking of the two cards was expected to clear 6-8 per cent duplication in the electoral rolls, he said. Referring to the Assembly polls in Assam next year, he said the EC has initiated the process to update the voter list.
“The Assembly polls in Assam are due before May 2016. In any election, the first allegation against the Election Commission is about the non-purified rolls. So before one year, we start purifying the electoral rolls,” he said. The agency’s updating process is an ongoing work with addition, deletion and correction of the data in voters list, he added.
“In Assam, 95 per cent of the 1.9 crore voters have been issued photo identity cards. By July, we will issue cards to all the voters,” Brahma said, adding the agency would ensure that there would be no duplication of voters. He said the ECI had launched a portal in January this year for the voters updating and correcting the information themselves.(PTI)