SECs stress on streamlining local bodies elections

Jaipur, Nov 25 (UNI) The 6th state election commissioners(SECs) conference concluded here today emphasising the need for pursuing with the Central government two model bills for election to the Panchayati Raj Institutions and municipal bodies as also the bill on condition of service for SECs.

Briefing newspersons Rajasthan State Election Commissioner Indrajit Khanna said in the Chennai conference of the SECs last year had decided to draft two model bills for streamlining the election process to the local bodies (panchayat and municipal) as different systems were prevailing in various states.

He said now the bill is in the consideration of the Central Rural Development ministry. The rural development ministry has constituted a council of panchayati raj minsters and the council will scrutinise the provisions of the bill and send it back to the state governments for legislation.

He said great emphasis was also accorded on expediting the process of having common electoral roll for assembly and local bodies. The need for the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and achieving this objective, a scheme for central funding for the purchase of EVMs by SECs was mooted with the central government.

The state election commissioners strongly emphasised the need for greater administrative and financial autonomy on the lines of central/state governments and the Election Commission of India.

Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the conference held here at the Harichandra Mathur Officers Training centre. Chief Election Commisioner N Narayan Swamy and 21 SECs attended the conference. Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil presided over the inaugural session.

UNI PJJ Mir BD1915