As the debate over cash for vote in ensuing Rajya Sabha elections has taken Centrestage, Union Government is considering bringing an amendments for an open ballot system to elect members to the State legislative Councils on the lines of a similar system for Rajya Sabha elections. Union law Minister Sadananda Gowda said in Mysuru on Monday that in view to minimise influence of money in Rajya Sabha elections Union Government wants to bring an amendment to these elections.
He said “there are legislative Councils in six States, we are thinking about it. I have already written to all the Chief Ministers that like in Rajya Sabha elections, during the elections to legislative Council from legislative Assembly, the voter has to show the ballot paper to the official agent of the party and cast the vote.”
“This in a way will minimise influence of money in these elections. We have made up our mind to bring in amendments to this effect,” he added.
“I have already written to Chief Ministers of six States. States like Maharashtra have written back asking us to take steps in this regard as soon as possible. We will initiate the process in this regard,” Gowda said.
Elections to the Council from the Assembly constituency now follows the secret ballot system where secrecy of voting is maintained while the Rajya Sabha polls have an open ballot system where voter has to show the ballot paper to the official agent of the party and cast the vote.In both the cases, votes will be considered invalid if there is violation.
On the sting operation conducted by two national channels which allegedly showed some candidates and independent MlAs talking about money for votes in Karnataka , law minister wants EC to take stringent action on the entire episode.
He said “It is a humiliation to Karnataka state, as these developments have made national headlines. I urge that the Election Commission take this matter seriously.”
Videos of the “sting operations” were aired by two private TV news channels on Thursday. The footage of “sting operation” by one channel showed a JD(S) MlA purportedly talking about money in crores of rupees for supporting a candidate.
A parallel “sting” operation by another channel showed Congress candidate KC Ramamurthy and independent MlAs purportedly speaking about getting increased development funds for the constituency from the Government in return for votes.
The Rajya Sabha poll to fill four vacancies is scheduled for June 11 while elections to fill 7 seats of Karnataka legislative Council will be held on June 10. It all depends on the ECs decision on the Rajya Saba elections.