7
CHANGES AND MODIFICATIONS IN ELECTION SYSTEM
Some suggestions for change in the system of elections to the House of the People and the Legislative Assemblies of the States have been received. The First-Past-The Post system has been criticized on the ground that candidate elected in a multi-concerned contest is generally the one who does not secure majority of votes polled. Various expert bodies like the Committee on Electoral Reforms (Dinesh Goswami Committee), the Law Commission of India (180th Report on Reform of Electoral Laws) have made recommendations in this regard. The issue is also being studied by the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution. There is no consensus among the political parties on changing the First-Past-The-Post system. Hence no steps to be taken in the near future for changing the system.
The Government has no intention of interfering with the process of selection of candidates by the political parties, which is their internal matter.
This information was given by the Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs and Shipping, Shri Arun Jaitley in a written reply to a question from Shri C.M. Ibrahim in the Rajya Sabha today.