Experts discuss how to control money power in polls

Controlling money in elections, bringing buying of votes within the ambit of law and doing away with corporate donations to political parties are some of the issues which political experts believe can change the structure of Indian polity for the better.

At a national consultation on "Political Finance and Law Commission Recommendations" held here on Monday, representatives of political parties, former election commissioners and other experts also favoured transparency in accounts of parties and candidates, monitoring of third party campaigners and fast-track courts to try electoral offences.

Inaugurating the seminar, Chief Election Commissioner H.S. Brahma said India needs a strong law to deal with the issue of political funding and to usher in "good accountability".

He said black money and money power, followed by muscle power create imbalances in electoral process and are not good for a healthy democracy.

"Black money impinges democracy. Black money and muscle power disturb level playing field... though money cannot guarantee votes, the one who can spend more has an upper hand," he said.

The experts also mooted for a national electoral trust under the control of the Election Commission for corporate donations and sought powers for the poll panel to make rules.

The consultation was initiated against the backdrop of the 255th report of the Law Commission which was presented on March 12 and had made various recommendations for electoral reforms in the country.

The seminar was attended by Law Commission chairman Justice A.P. Shah, many former chief election commissioners, including J.M. Lyngdoh and S.Y. Quraishi, eminent lawyers, academicians and media representatives.

Randeep Singh Surjewala (Congress), Kalyan Banerjee (Trinamool Congress), Pinaki Mishra (Biju Janata Dal) and E. Ahamed (Indian Union Muslim League) were among the politicians attending the deliberations.