(a) whether the Election Commission has asked the Government to amend
the law to make bribing of voters, in cash or kind, a cognizable offence;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the time by which the Government is likely to amend IPC Section 171(B)
and make it a cognizable offence;
(d) whether any mechanism has been devised to ascertain whether the voter has
casted his vote in favour of the bribe giver; and
(e) if so, the details thereof
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI SALMAN KHURSHID)
(a): Yes, Madam.
(b) & (c): The Election Commission has suggested for amendment to the First
Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 to make the offence of bribery
under section 171B/171E of IPC a cognizable offence. As the Criminal Law and
Criminal Procedure are in the Concurrent List to the Seventh Schedule to the
Constitution and are being administered by the State Governments, the comments/views
of the State Government/Union territories Administrations have been sought on the
proposal. No time frame can be fixed in this regard.
(d): No, Madam.
(e): Do not arise.