Maya differs with CEC on criminal candidates

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UP chief minister Mayawati obviously does not agree with the Election Commission on the issue of criminals participating in the electoral process.
While the chief election commissioner S.Y. Quraishi feels that those who have been chargesheeted should not be allowed to participate in the electoral process, Ms Mayawati feel that such a decision should be taken only after a person has been convicted.
The chief minister, who was speaking at the inaugural session of the “Regional Consultation for Electoral Reforms” at the Dr Ambedkar auditorium at the Ram Manohar Lohia Law University on Sunday, said that debarring persons from the electoral process immediately after their being chargesheeted may lead to its large scale misuse by political opponents. She felt that persons should be barred from contesting elections only after they have been convicted by court.
“Personally, I am in favour of disallowing anyone against whom charges had been framed by the prosecuting authority. This includes those undertrials who are facing charges which entail a punishment of five or more years of imprisonment,” the CEC said.
He said that no mechanism could prevent the entry of criminals in the electoral fray as effectively as the political parties themselves.
“But it appears that there was a virtual competition among political parties to field criminals. Despite discussions and debates, the criminalisation of politics is on the increase in electoral politics,” he felt.
According to the CEC, the sluggish procedure of prosecution and conviction in the country allowed criminals a free hand in getting into positions of power and even become ministers with the result that they even get entitled to official security and make palpable misuse of their position.
The chief minister and the CEC also differed on funding of elections. While the chief minister favoured state funding of elections, the CEC was opposed to it.
Terming state funding of elections as a very “dangerous proposal”, Mr Quraishi said that this would provide even more convenient means for flow of black money. However, both agreed on a ban on opinion and exits polls in the country.
Meanwhile, Union minister for law Veerappa Moily stressed upon the need to promote the “spirit and habit of voting among common voters”.