PIL filed in Madras HC seeking electoral reforms

A PIL seeking comprehensive electoral reforms and changes in election laws to end the practice of giving cash for votes was filed before the Madras High court bench here today.
The PIL by K K Ramesh sought a direction to the Union Home Secretary and Union Ministry of Law and Justice to bring electoral reforms and changes in law within a stipulated time frame.
Accusing major parties of distributing money to voters in all 234 assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu during the polls and cash seizure by authorities, Ramsh submitted that the existing method of using flying squads did not help the Election Commission to control the distribution of money.

He submitted that though it was widely reported that money was distributed in all the constituencies, the Election Commission had chosen to postpone elections only in two constituencies, Thanjavur and Aravakurichi.
As the elections for the state assembly this year were not held "geuinely", the Tamil Nadu Assembly should be suspended and the swearing in ceremony of the ministers should be declared null and void, he submittted.
The petition also suggested stringent laws be introduced, including 5-10 years of imprisonment for those who pay money and take money for votes.

When the practice of money distribution began in Tirumangalam by-polls in 2009, the Election Commission was unable to stop it despite increasing the number of flying squads, micro observers, macro observers etc, Ramesh noted.

He prayed to the court to direct the Chief Election Commission and the state Chief Electoral officer to declare the elections in 232 constituencies in the state as invalid and also suspend the proceedings in Tamil Nadu Assembly pending disposal of the PIL.
The PIL will be come up for hearing next week.