PIL seeking direction to EC on polls dismissed

A PIL seeking to direct the Election Commission, under the overall supervision of Governors of the respective state governments, take control of government machinery from the date of election notification till declaration of elections results, was disposed by the Madras High Court today.
The bench, comprising Justices S Manikumar and C T Selvam, disposed of the petition after recording government advocate's submission that the petitioner's representationfor curbing corruption during polls was under government's consideration.
Advocate M Ganesan, the petitioner, contended that states should be under the supervision of the Governor for conduct of free and fair elections.
He also submitted that amendments should be made in relevant provisions of the Election Law and Representation of People Act by taking up recommendations and suggesions to eliminate corrupt practices being allegedly followed by the ruling party or the opposition.

Ganes said that as per law, MLAs, MPs, ministers are government servants and laws and procedures applicable to the latter are also applicable to them.
But a government servant is dismissed for malpractices while MLAs or MPs are allowed to continue even after punishment, he said.

There was also the problem of elections being funded by blackmoney holders and mafia. There was no accountability or audit, the petitioner said.
The corrupt practices followed by political parties to win elections could not be proved as the government machinery in states are under the control of political parties, he said.
A total sum of Rs 1,183 crore was spent on general elections by MLAs and MPs from various states under EC rules. Despite that, malpractices continued during elections, he alleged.