Treat model code violations as criminal offence: EC

“Broad discussions revolved around functioning and conditions of the ECs,which needs to be strengthened,giving them functional autonomy,financial powers and effective administrative powers,” Himachal Pradesh Election Commissioner Dev Swaroop said.

The present conditions have several handicaps and if these are not removed,it will be difficult for the commissions to carry out their functions and duties in next few years.The status and dignity of the commissions needs lot of attentions as also their financial and administrative independence.

“In some states,there are retired judges heading the commissions and others have retired senior bureaucrates. Some governments like Madhya Pradesh have given so much facilities and perks,but others even don’t get treatment as per their conditional positions. There is a vast disparity which the states are required to address,” he said.

Releasing details of the discussions,Dev Swaroop said it was resolved that Centre should give sufficent financial help to the state commissions to meet basic needs like strengthening offices,providing Computers,IT equipment,EVMs and construction of separate buildings. “One such proposal of Himachal Pradesh is already pending with the Centre,” he said.

He also informed about discussion on need to create a common data base for voters list in respect of Lok Sabha,state Assemblies and panchyat as well as urban local bodies’ elections. Need was also voiced for creating uniform service conditions for all the state election commissions.