EC calls for more powers

The Election Commission has sought greater powers to enable the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.

"Certain regulatory reforms are needed to make the election process clean and we have made a representation to the government in this regard. There is a need for regulation of exit polls. The commission has also called for several legal and administrative changes," T S Krishnamurthy, chief election commissioner, said on Tuesday.

He was in Ahmedabad to address the 37th annual convocation of Occupational Research Society of India (ORSI).

"We can systemise elections in our country by learning lessons from the past. Conducting elections in India is a unique experience considering the size, population and geographical condition of the country. This has become increasingly difficult since the first general election in 1952," said Krishnamurthy.

"The election process has become more complicated with over 600 political, six national and 40 state parties registered with us. It is a very difficult task to manage a country with 670 million voters," said Krishnamurthy.

About voters registration, Krishnamurthy said: "We could improve upon the voters registration process. We have been successful in introducing certain electoral reforms in the recent Maharashtra elections. We allowed registration through the internet and post offices.."

"Another most important task of the EC is to fix the schedule of elections, given the available resources. We have to conduct election in four phases as compared to one-day elections in 1952. Local conditions do not allow us to conduct elections in a day. States like Bihar, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh need special care due to the extraordinary incidents of violence in these states," said Krishnamurthy.

Talking about elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Krishnamurthy said: "Elections in J&K were a unique example of free and fair elections. The world was looking at India and, in spite of the poor weather conditions, terrorism and geographical conditions, we had a free, fair and violence-free elections there. The J&K elections was conducted with 45 per cent voters turn out as compared to 20 per cent earlier".