EC’s Proposal Will Upset Pawan Kalyan!

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to bring a new reform that would prevent politicians from contesting at two places at once. Apparently this amendment was first proposed in 2004 but was not implemented for unknown reasons. This proposal definitely disappoints Janasena Chief Pawan Kalyan. In the last election, Pawan Kalyan contested in two constituencies and ironically he lost from both the places.

The long-pending reform has now resurfaced in the run-up to the scheduled elections. Reviving the old proposal the ECI has sent a proposal to the Union government to seek its view and also approval.

Besides barring the politicians from contesting at two places, the ECI has also included a few terms and conditions that seriously make the politician think twice before contesting at two places.

As per the Constitution, one person has to represent only a constituency be it Assembly or Parliament. If he contests from two places and wins both of them, he has to vacate and a by-poll will be called within six months. A re-election would put financial burden on the public exchequer, the manpower and other resources. The commission also proposed an amendment to the rule that a resigned candidate should be allowed to run for two seats only if he is willing to bear the cost of the entire by-election.

There are very few candidates contesting in both the constituencies. NTR contested from three constituencies followed by Prajarajyam party president Chiranjeevi. He contested for two seats in the 2009 elections. However, Chiru lost in one constituency so there was no need for a by-election. In the last election, Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan contested in two constituencies and ironically he lost from both the places.

Yet there are people who are willing to contest from two places in the coming elections. In order to avoid that, the ECI has advised to make careful changes in the existing law and suggested that at least an amendment would make politicians think twice before taking a decision to contest from two places.

It is difficult for the resigned candidate to bear the entire cost of the by-election. Hence the chances of contesting in both the constituencies are less. But the ball is in the union government’s court on the proposals of ECI.

But ECI’s new proposals are weighable and valid for all reasons. This move could save money, time and resources. Hopefully the Modi government adapts the proposal of ECI in the best interest of the people.