Parties want conviction as bar

Political parties today came together to undo a clause in the draft electoral reforms bill that seeks to bar people against whom charges hav...

Political parties today came together to undo a clause in the draft electoral reforms bill that seeks to bar people against whom charges have been framed in two cases of heinous crime from contesting polls.

They decided disqualification will be only on the basis of conviction. At a meeting this afternoon, the parties felt since anybody could be charged of any offence and even chargesheeted by courts such a clause could be misused by political opponents. The Bill will be passed in the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.

After the meeting, the BJP parroted the line that it is in favour of the clause as contained in the Bill but at the meeting it did not forcefully argue for it under the plea that consensus was against it.

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The refrain was that the Supreme Court only intended that a voter should be equipped with full information about the candidate but had not suggested disqualification.

Besides dropping this clause, the meeting also decided every elected member would have to file his assets and liabilities to the Lok Sabha Speaker and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Law Minister J. Krishnamurthi told reporters.

This goes against the spirit of the SC’s observations as the declaration of assets and liabilities will be post-election. It is unclear whether statements filed would be made public.

Krishnamurthi said there were suggestions that disqualification should be on the basis of final conviction. But sources say it is likely this issue would be addressed when a comprehensive law is enacted.

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The Minister, when asked about the mechanism for ensuring all elected members complied with the proposal, said it would be based on guidelines of ethics committees of the two Houses.

He denied a suggestion that the proposed amendments were to undermine the Election Commission’s authority.

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