Election Commission Holds Meeting with All Recognised National and State Political The Election Commission held a meeting with all recognised National and State Political parties today at New Delhi to discuss some of the important issues related to electoral reforms and conduct of elections. All the 6 National Parties, 29 State Parties attended the meeting. The agenda discussed in the meeting included the use of totaliser for counting of votes on EVMs which enables taking out results from a group of EVMs as against counting on individual EVMs used in individual polling stations. The advantage of using totaliser is that the voting pattern in particular polling stations will not be revealed as the results displayed through totaliser would be the results of the votes polled in a group of polling stations. A demonstration of the functioning of totaliser was also made before the representatives of the political parties. The other important issues discussed were:- (i) In a multi-phased election, the need/desirability of considering any prohibition on telecast of election campaign activities of a subsequent phase when one phase is within the period of the last 48 hours before poll when open campaigning and display of election matter on electronic media is prohibited u/s 126 of R.P. Act 1951. (ii) Amendment of the format of Affidavit for candidates to include therein a column for declaration of the source of income of the candidate. (iii) The need to continue the practice of candidates/parties booth near the polling stations on the day of poll considering that voter slips are now distributed by the election machinery. (iv) The need to maintain high standards in election campaign related speeches and discourse. (v) Increasing the security deposit amount for candidates. The representatives of the parties presented useful views on behalf of their political parties on each of the agenda for discussion, which will be duly considered by the Commission for further appropriate action. Election Commission of India New Delhi 19th March 2016 RM/