New Delhi, Aug 09: Consultations are on in the government regarding the modalities of "open" voting in Rajya Sabha elections, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said today. "The modalities have not yet been cleared. I have held discussions with (Law Minister) Arun Jaitley and some others," he told reporters in reply to questions.
Among the suggestions made in this regard was that "every member of a state assembly or Parliament will by law have a right to get certified copies of the vote cast by other members," he said adding that such a move would make it open vote instead of the present secret ballot.
On his suggestions regarding synchronisation of assembly and parliamentary elections which have received Opposition flak, he said de-linking of these elections had "harmed the political system as well as the central government".
Replying to questions, Advani said after the Centre had agreed to limit the size of ministries in small states and Union territories, the standing committee of Home Ministry was considering the issue. He cited examples of Delhi and Pondicherry where the ministry's strength was only seven. Bureau Report