ELECTION REFORMS

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LOK SABHA

The Government discussed with the political parties on July 8, 2002 the situation arising out of the judgement of the Supreme Court of May 2, 2002 directing the Election Commission to call for certain additional information on affidavit from the candidates at elections as part of the nomination forms. There was unanimity in the said meeting that only Parliament had the power to legislate in this matter and there was need to curb criminalisation in politics by enacting suitable legislation in consultation with the political parties. A draft of the Bill on the subject has since been circulated to them.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Law and Justice Shri K. Jana Krishnamurthi in reply to a question from Shri Bhim Dahal in the Lok Sabha today.