(a) whether the Government proposes to make amendments in the Representation of the People
Act in view of the prevailing corruption and criminalisation of politics;
(b) if so, the time by when these amendments would be made;
(c) whether the Government also proposes to formulate any code of conduct for elected
representatives;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(SHRI K. VENKATAPATHY)
(a) and (b): In recent past, the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2002 and
the Representation of the People (Third Amendment) Act, 2002 have been enacted with a
view to making the electoral process clean and free from criminal and corrupt influences.
The Government, however, continues to strive and explore further ways and means aimed at
bringing about further reforms. In this regard, the Government has before it the
recommendations made by different bodies/individuals, like the Dinesh Goswami Committee,
the Indrajit Gupta Committee, the Election Commission of India, the Law Commission of
India, the Department - Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public
Grievances, Law and Justice, etc. Since the process of electoral reforms is a continuous
and ongoing process and can be carried out only through consensus among the political
parties, which is a time-consuming process, no time frame can be given.
(c) to (e) The evolution of a Code of Conduct for legislators is a matter for the
Legislatures to decide and the Government has no intention to interfere in the matter.