I would like to inform you and our other members that I am presently in an email discussion with Mr T.S.Krishnamurthy, former CEC concerning electoral reforms in the context of an email sent by one of our subscribers Mr. S D Sharma referring to the ECI's 5.July.2004 D.O. on electoral reforms.
I had conveyed to Mr. Krishnamurthy the sum and substance of Mr. S D Sharma's email
https://lists.riseup.net/www/arc/indiaresists/2013-03/msg00082.html
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In 2004 the Election Commission had sent a letter to the PMO listing 8 or 10 points for urgent electoral reform. One of these was Negative/Neutral voting. The Hindustan Republican Association had submitted over 1,200 representations asking for the Negative voting as you have described.
The then CEC T.N Krishnamurthy was a pliable fellow who is great believer in Saibaba philosophy. It was arranged that a Writ Petition was filed in the Supreme Court by the PUCL asking for Neutral voting - ie. the Rule 49 O option. Krishnamurthy then clubbed and obfuscated the Negative Voting and Neutral Voting concepts in his report to make it seem that they are one and the same thing.
The Negative Voting -1 Vote concept has to properly explained to IAC's members so that these operators and fixers like Krishnamurthy, who are still in business, are exposed. "
In response Mr. T.S. Krishnamurthy has replied as follows:-
To which I have responded as follows:-
IAC's concerned subscriber apparently takes a keen interest in these matters and had made some further claims about you and Mr. Lyngdoh in a subsequent email about rigging of elections through EVM's. and it would be ideal if the air / miasma is cleared directly.
Now to your problem,
1) Is the Election Commission bound to take note of your suggestions ? How did you represent to the ECI so that they were compelled to consider your suggestions ?
If I read Mr Venkatraman's email below correctly he clearly refers to UNWRITTEN Powers of ECI purportedly residing / inherent (as per him) in the ECI on a fallacious (as per me) reading of "ensuring free and fair elections".
When read in conjunction with what Mr. T.S.Krishnamurthy sent to the PM on 05.07.2004 at Point #3 "Criminalisation of Politics" or suchlike, it is clear that only the Govt can resolve the problem - either by suitable legislation or by Constitutional amendment(s) and the ECI has no role to play on its own.
Sarbajit
Hello Friends,Election Commission is not discharging its obligatory duties to strengthen Democracy. It has not responded to my suggestions about Democratic Reforms.Navin PandyaOn Fri, Apr 5, 2013 at 7:50 PM, Venkatraman Ns <nsvenkatchennai@gmail.com> wrote:
To
India Against corruption
ELECTION COMMISSION UNWILLING TO ACT
In response to a submission made to the Election Commission by Nandini Voice for The Deprived, a Chennai based NGO (www.nandinivoice.org), suggesting that the Election Commission should use its residual and inherent powers and ban corrupt persons and criminals against whom charges have been admitted in the court from contesting in the election, in its detailed reply, Election Commission has said vide its letter No. 4/3/2013/SDR/253 dated 22nd March,2013 amongst various points, the following.
" In matters which are covered by law, the Commission cannot issue directions contrary to the provisions of the law. In view of the clear provisions laid down in the Act regarding disqualification on the ground for conviction for criminal offenses, the Commission cannot issue directions under Article 324 as sought in your letter".
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By way of reply, another submission was made by Nandini Voice for The Deprived to Election Commission on 29th March,2013, stating the following amongst various other points.
1. Responsibility and duty of the Election Commission
In your letter, you have extensively discussed about the terms of the law and interpretation of the law by Supreme Court. But, you have not said anything about your duty and responsibility to ensure free and fair polls as enshrined in the Constitution of India.
As you know, the Election Commission is a permanent Constitutional body and its status and the people's expectations about the Election Commission are totally different from that of the bureaucracy. Therefore, the Election Commission has to approach any issue with a far sighted and integrated view , as its functions and decisions would have far reaching impact on the destiny of the country. It should not be satisfied merely by quoting the provisions of an existing law as interpreted and then refrain from taking any actions to ensure free and fair elections, pleading helplessness. This would amount to abdication of responsibility and failing to live upto the expectations of the Constitution makers and citizens.
In short, it can be said that just as the Supreme Court, Election Commission is also the conscience keeper of India. It has the primary task of fulfilling its responsibility to ensure free and fair elections and it should make utmost efforts to undo any obstacles in the way of fulfilling its responsibility as enshrined in the Constitution.
2. Inherent and residual powers
Given the duty and responsibility entrusted to Election Commission by the Constitution to ensure free and fair elections, the Election Commission should pass appropriate regulations, which should include the move to ban corrupt persons and criminals from contesting elections against whom charges have been admitted in the court. Election Commission would lose its importance and would not be able to fulfil its responsibility, if it simply thinks that it has been vested with the responsibility without authority.
2. Seek the views of Supreme Court :
If the Election Commission thinks that it cannot do so due to the earlier interpretation of law and verdict given by the Supreme Court in some other circumstances, then it should straightaway take the matter to the Supreme Court and express its views to it and ask the court to clarify whether the Election Commission can go ahead imposing the ban . Supreme Court would certainly give an opportunity to the Election Commission to explain its view points and the compelling circumstances. In all probability, Supreme Court would consider the issue threadbare and give its verdict, according due consideration for the views of the Election Commission , which is a permanent constitutional body.
4. What Mahatma Gandhi would have thought ?
Perhaps, Mahatma Gandhi would have thought that the Election Commissioners should resign if they would face a situation where they would be unable to conduct free and fair polls as enshrined in the Constitution and thus failing in their responsibility, due to reasons beyond their control.
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The reply from Election commission to the above points is still awaited ,with the hope that the Election Commission would show the will to act in the interest of the larger good for the country.
N.S.Venkataraman
Nandini Voice for the Deprived
Email:- nsvenktchennai@gmail.com
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