CEC calls for electoral reforms

The income tax exemption allowed by the finance ministry has resulted in a spurt in the number of political parties.

Talking to reporters here, N Gopalaswamy, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), said the concession awarded by the government in 2002 had attracted as many as 910 parties to register with the Election Commission (EC).

Of this, the Election Commission had give recognition to only 56 parties, he said adding if a political party does not take part in any election over a period of three or five years, the party's name could be deleted or at least they could be asked to re-register with the Election Commission.

Earlier, addressing the members of the Consumer Protection Council here, he said that the EC was of the opinion that the winners in various elections should get at least 50 per cent of the votes polled.

The EC has also decided to reduce the size of the electoral photo identity card to the size of popular credit cards and ATM cards.