Quraishi rules out 'impractical' right to recall

Kolkata, Nov 11: Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi on Friday ruled out social activist Anna Hazare's demand for right to recall saying this was not practical in a country like India.

"We have made it clear that right to recall is not a very practical idea for India. If a representative is elected for five years he will remain for five years in our system," he told reporters at the sidelines of the Maulana Azad Memorial Lecture here.

Quraishi said the right to recall could also lead to instability when 2,000 or 5,000 people, not even 50,000 people, would get together and demand recalling a representative who had been elected by four lakh voters.

Thus if a representative secured four lakh votes, the recall process would ultimately take away the democratic rights of four lakh voters, he said. "This will be a misuse of power and thus could not be applicable in India."

"I held a discussion on this with Team Anna... It was a very cordial meeting. I made it clear to them and hope they are convinced," he said.

PTI