November 20, 2001

    The Government has decided to amend Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to do away with the requirement of residence of the particular State or Union Territory for contesting election to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) from that State or Union Territory. The Government has also decided to amend Sections 59, 94 and 128 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which provide for secrecy of ballot in elections to the Council of States in order to introduce open ballot system for these elections.