Electoral reforms since 2010
Q. Which of the following were electoral reforms since 2010?
1) Contestants cannot contest from more than two constituencies.
2) Restriction on exit polls.
3) Increased election expenditure.- Published on 17 Mar 17a. 2, 3
b. 1, 2
c. 1, 3
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 2, 3
Electoral Reforms since 2010 -
Restrictions Imposed on Exit Polls -
- According to Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2009, conducting exit polls and publishing results of exist polls would be prohibited during the election to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
- Punishment for contravention is with imprisonment of upto two years or with fine or with both.
- ‘Exit-poll’ is an opinion survey regarding how people have voted at an election.
- Time-Limit for Submitting a Case for Disqualification - Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2009 made a provision for simplification of the procedure for disqualification of a person found guilty of corrupt practices.
- 3 months time was provided to specified authority who will have to submit the case of a person found guilty of corrupt practice to the President for determination of the question of disqualification.
All Officials Included in Corrupt Practice -
- Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2009 made a provision for the inclusion of all officials, whether in the government service or not, appointed or deputed by the Election Commission in connection with the conduct of elections, within the scope of corrupt practice.
Increase in Security Deposit -
- Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2009 increased the amount of security deposit to be paid by the candidates contesting elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly too. This was to check the multiplicity of non-serious candidates.
Appellate Authority within the District -
- Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2009 made a provision for appointment of an appellate authority within the district against the orders of the Electoral Registration Officers, instead of the Chief Electoral Officer of the state. Thus, an appeal against any order of the Electoral Registration Officer of a constituency (during continuous update of the electoral roll) will now lie before the District Magistrate or Additional District Magistrate or Executive Magistrate or District Collector or an officer of equivalent rank.
- A further appeal will now lie before the Chief Electoral Officer of the state.
Voting Rights to Citizens of India Living Abroad -
- Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2010 made a provision to confer voting rights to the citizens of India residing outside India.
Every citizen of India -
a) whose name is not included in the electoral roll;
b) who has not acquired the citizenship of any other country;
c) who is absent from his place of ordinary residence in India owing to his employment, education or otherwise outside India (whether temporarily or not) - shall be entitled to have his name registered in the electoral roll in the Parliamentary/Assembly constituency in which his place of residence in India as mentioned in his passport is located.
Ceiling on Election Expenditure Increased -
- In 2011, the Central Government raised the maximum ceiling on election expenditure by candidates for a Lok Sabha seat and Assembly seat.
