Question : Electoral Reforms

(a) whether the Government has taken any decision regarding implementation of various recommendations given by the Law Commission, Election Commission and other Committees and if so, the details and the present status thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to examine electoral system in other democratic countries and imbibe some of the better and suitable features therefrom and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to engage experts from other countries to help in improving the electoral system in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any suggestions to introduce proportionate reservation system in the country have been received and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to take stringent measures to check use of money power during the elections in the country and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (e): The issue of electoral reforms in its entirety was referred to the Law Commission of India which has given its 244th Report on “Electoral Disqualifications” and 255th Report on “Electoral Reforms” containing, inter-alia, recommendations on proportionate representation and measures to check the use of money power in elections. The recommendations of the Law Commission are under examination.

Since the Law Commission has given its recommendations after detailed deliberations with all the stake-holders, there is no proposal of the Government to further examine the electoral system in other democratic countries or to engage experts from other countries.