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Journalism of Courage
With the UPA Government making moves towards state funding of polls, the Election Commission has called a meeting on February 15 of all recognised national and state political parties to hammer out a consensus on what-should-be the nature of the funding— cash or kind.
According to sources, the EC has asked the national parties to nominate two representatives and the recognised state parties to nominate one each. The Law Ministry’s proposal which was put before the Cabinet on December 22 calls for an amendment of the Representation of the People’s Act by which provisions would be made in the budget to fund electioneering of candidates. Independents and non-recognised parties would get the benefit.
The Government has asked the EC to identify the facilities that should be given. It includes rent-free accommodation to each recognised political party, free telephone calls during polls, printing papers, and petrol and diesel in certain quantities to each candidate.
