EC should have more teeth to deal with money power in Rajya Sabha Polls: Former CECs

NEW DELHI: In the wake a ‘sting video’ claiming the role of money power in the Rajya Sabha elections, lawmakers and former CECs are of the opinion that the Election Commission should be given more teeth to deal with such situations.

“The model code of conduct was born because political parties got together to ensure ruling party doesn’t have much influence and there is a common ground for all of them to fight elections. That will not apply in the case of Rajya Sabha elections,” former CEC N Gopalaswami said.

“Although in Jharkhand we used Article 324, which is our ultimate power, we can’t use it on a regular basis. But Election Commission is right in asking for the Representation of the People Act to be amended,” former CEC SY Qureshi said.

Union parliamentary affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said: “We need to discuss these issues. It’s time to check use of money power in the Rajya Sabha polls.” However, another former CEC VS Sampath said people who were running the show should take a call without further amendment to the Representation of the People Act.