Political parties on Friday demanded early introduction of electoral reforms to curb black money in funding of elections and banning candidates with criminal background from contesting polls.
They also favoured introduction of paper trail of EVMs and demanded that the electoral reform be introduced in the next general elections. At an all-party meeting convened by the Election Commission, representatives of various political parties sought a ban on opinion polls carried in various media.
Raising concerns about the “inaction” in bringing key electoral reforms, they demanded convening of a separate meeting to discuss the measures. In Friday’s meet, some parties expressed concerns over the quality of paper used in EVMs and said that it should last a few years in case of a dispute or court case.
Representatives of various parties — including Congress, BJP, SP, CPI, JD-S, BSP, TDP —were present at the meeting, where Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath and Election Commissioners HS Brahma and SNA Zaidi and other senior officials were also present.
Questioning the use of thermal paper for printing of paper trail of votes, the parties demanded that the printing and paper be improved further for preservation of such record in case of any dispute. Various parties suggested that the measure be introduced soon in a bypoll and later in a complete election after bringing some improvisation in the measure.
While the Congress wanted further improvement in paper trail of EVMs, the BJP demanded that it be introduced in next general election. According to election commission officials, improvements in printing and paper, paper trail of votes “can be introduced in the next six to eight months”.
On behalf of the Congress, head of AICC Computer Cell Vishvajit Singh favoured the measure but raised concerns about quality of paper used and its lasting value. BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also favoured the move and said the new technology be introduced in the next general and Assembly elections, thereby weeding out the old EVMs that created doubts in the minds of voters.
Terming it as a “big breakthrough”, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu too favoured the measure and called for its early introduction after further improving on the technology. He demanded a separate all-party meet to discuss electoral reforms with EC for curbing use of money power and paid news.
“Voter is not able to see whom he has voted. There are possibilities of manipulating EVMs. There must be some foolproof system. EC has added a printer now and voters can now see whom he has voted for. This is a big breakthrough. We endorse this system. But paper has to be preserved for five years,” Naidu told reporters after the meeting.