NEW DELHI: The govemment has not yet come to. any decision on promulgating an Ordinance to amend the Representation of People Act enabling pre-poll disqualification of candidates misusing religion for election purposes before the November Assembly elections: Ina conversation with this correspondent, Sept.29, the Union Home Minister, S.B.Chavan, said the matter was before the Union Cabinet. “I cannot say anything definite on whether or not the Ordinance will be issued.
Asked if issuing an Ordinance at this juncture would interfere with the poll process already in motion, the Home Minister stated categorically that it would not influence the electoral process in any way:
Chavan also maintained that the Ordinance, if promulgated, would not amount to violation of the model code of conduct of the Election Commission. Asked what was the result of discussions held with Opposition parties On bringing forward amendments to the RPA, Chayan said they had been consulted at every stage.
Their opinions had been given due weightage and several references to caste, language and class had been removed. “Their views were accommodated,” he said. On the dispute between the Chief Election Commissioner, TN. Seshan and the Home Ministry relating 10 the deployment of Central forces in the coming eleetions, the home minister said the matter had been reported out. “Details, however, are to be worked out, he said, “I do not anticipate any problems as far as the details are concemed.
Asked about the view taken by the CEC that the Commission was competent to deploy both Central and State police forces, the Home Minister said that since the matter was before the Supreme Court he would not like to Comment on it. The Government would not ignore the request of the CEC for deployment of forces, the Home Minister said and admiued that his Ministry was in. a tight spot as far as the availability of Central police was concemed.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 8, 1993
