New Delhi: Government has made
significant changes in the proposal to debar criminal
candidates from contesting elections and other issues, says
Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi.
Expressing "disappointment" over the delay in bringing
important legislations on electoral reforms and not passing
them in the winter session, he hopes Parliament will make a
beginning at least in the Budget session.
"We are disappointed that this (electoral reforms) did
not happen in the winter session while 30-40 bills came
and our bill did not come.
"The only benefit of doubt that needs to be given is
that the government was kept busy with the Lokpal round the
clock. I hope at least in the budget session the government
keeps its promise and brings up this bill," Quraishi told PTI
in an interview.
He said Law Minister Salman Khurshid came to the
Commission a third time and gave an assurance that the
government will bring major reforms in the winter session that
included proposals to debar criminals and transparency of
political funding.
"And he asked us whether we are ok if other issues can
be taken up later. We said yes that these issues are the most
important and crucial. We will be happy if these are brought
up. He has some modifications to our proposals and we are ok
with those also," he said.
PTI
