ALL PARTY MEETING ON ELECTORAL REFORMS

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The Government will be convening a meeting of leaders of all recognized political parties on October 29, 2003. The meeting will discuss the rules providing for the system of open ballot for elections to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and other proposals on electoral reforms.

The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2003 provides for introducing the system of open ballot for elections to the Rajya Sabha. The Minister of Law & Justice and Commerce & Industry, Shri Arun Jaitley, had assured during the consideration of the Bill by the Parliament that the proposed rules would be discussed with political parties before finalization.

Apart from the system of open ballot for election to Rajya Sabha, the meeting will discuss amendment of the Constitution to confer upon the other Election Commissioners the same protection in the matter of removal from office, which is currently available to the Chief Election Commissioner under clause (5) of Article 324. Enhancement of the security deposit for contesting Parliamentary and Assembly elections; enactment of a legislation to provide that salaries, allowances and pension of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, and other administrative expenses of the Election Commission shall be charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India are the other issues to be taken up at the meeting.