February 25, 2012
Phalgun Shukla Trutiya, Kaliyug Varsha 5113
Members of Team Anna yesterday met Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi on Thursday and stresses on their demand for the ‘Right to Reject’ option on electronic voting machines. The team has also sought debarring candidates who have been charged against contesting elections. Matters like including form 49(O), whereby a voter makes it clear that he will not case his vote in favour of any candidate were also part of the meeting. Team Anna stressed on the need for using totalizers during the process of counting.

The meeting has been described as ‘useful’ by Kiran Bedi, member of Team Anna. She said that the CEC was receptive to the ideas and demands put forth at the discussion. “The matter is pending with the law ministry since 2001. What is needed is a rule amendment. It just needs a notification, “she said, referring to the matter of pending electoral reforms since 2004. Kiran Bedi also stressed the need to broach the issue of ‘Right to Reject’ in Parliament as it required amendment in rules.

“Electoral reforms will help in cleansing the system,” said Anna Hazare after the meeting. The Team has taken up the matter of pending electoral reforms to launch its attack on the government for alleged inaction. The matter will be taken up along with Lokpal Bill as soon as polling in 5 states culminates.

Anna Hazare also spoke of the government’s plans to strip off powers from Election Commission in order to oversee implementation of Model Code of Conduct. Condemning the government’s plan, Hazare said, “This is wrong. The election commission is an independent body If there is interference, then the body will lose it power. If the government does so, then there is no point in talking about independence of the commission.” Constitutional protection must be granted to Chief Election Commissioner, he added.

Earlier, the Election Commission had approached the Central Government to make necessary reforms in order to facilitate the option of “Right to Reject’ in EVMs. They had also raised the matter of debarring candidates who have been slapped charges of offence, making them entitled to 5 years of imprisonment.

Source : indiawires