Centre should consider presenting Budget after polls: Quraishi

Former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi today suggested that the Centre should consider presenting a vote on account before the elections in five states and the Budget after voting ends.
On the issue of the tussle between the two factions of Samajwadi Party to stake claim over 'cycle' election symbol, he said the poll panel is likely to freeze it and may issue an interim order by giving interim names and symbols to both sides.
During polls, the election commission normally tells states to have votes on account in place of a full fledged Budget, which can be presented after the polls, Quraishi said.

"I am optimistic that the government will definitely consider the sentiments of a large section of society that budget should be presented post-elections, as they contemplate that this might have some affect on the outcome of the polls," he said.
Stating that the model code of conduct should be honoured in its letter and spirit, Quarishi, said the chapter seven of the model code of conduct talks about incumbency advantage related to policy decisions and announcements. This issue can be seen in light of that.
The Budget session has already been convened from January 31 when the President will address the joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament. The Union Budget and the Economic Survey are slated to be presented the next day.

Pitching for giving the power of deregistering political parties to Election Commission, he said if the panel has the power to register parties, it should be able to deregister them also.
"During my tenure we had found that there are a few hundred parties which do not contest polls but are registered as political outfits to primarily raises tax-free money for non-political purposes," he said, adding there is urgent need to cancel registration of such organisations.