Former CJIs flag concern over Election Commission's powers in simultaneous polls bill
Wilson argued that while the stated aim of the bill is to reduce election expenditure, the proposed system could result in frequent elections in case of the fall of the government at the Centre, thereby defeating its purpose. Several MPs have also flagged the issue of mid-term elections, the sources said.
Justice Khehar, they added, suggested that Parliament or the Union Council of Ministers should have a say in deciding whether an assembly election should be held, as envisaged under Section 82A(5) of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill.
The section, in its current form, states: 'If the Election Commission is of the opinion that the elections to any Legislative Assembly cannot be conducted along with the general election to the House of the People, it may make a recommendation to the President, to declare by an order, that the election to that Legislative Assembly may be conducted at a later date.'
Referring to another section of the proposed law, he said it should also specify provisions applicable in case of an Emergency.
Following the meeting, Chaudhary said, 'We want discussion on each aspect, only then the recommendation could be correct.'
'We want a transparent discussion to take place…The Parliament gave us the Bill so that it can be corrected. It was not given to us to return in the present form. We are making efforts on how simultaneous elections should be conducted in the national interest,' Chaudhary said.
The chairman also stated that the panel is seeking views from experts on the Bill and that no amendment has been made yet.
'For example, Justices Khehar and Chandrachud had come. Many members had sought clarifications and doubts. To clear those doubts, everyone sat down and discussed. We had a very good discussion. This is a very big thing. This is a very big opportunity given to the Committee for nation building,' he added.
A number of legal experts, including four former CJIs, have appeared before the Committee, which held its eighth sitting on Friday.
Senior advocate and former Rajya Sabha member EM Sudarsana Natchiappan, a former chairman of the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, also shared his views.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
"If Cow Statue Can Enter Parliament, Why Not A Living Cow?": Shankaracharya
Mumbai: Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand has said that a cow should have been taken into the new Parliament building at Central Vista during its inauguration. "If a statue of a cow can enter Parliament, why can't a living cow be taken inside?" he asked reporters on Sunday. The seer said the Sengol held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while entering the new Parliament building showed a cow engraved on the sceptre. "A real cow should have also been taken into the building to bestow blessings. If there is a delay, we will take cows from all over the country and bring them to Parliament," he said, adding this would ensure the PM and the building receive blessings of a real cow. The Sengol is installed in the Lower House of the Parliament. He also demanded that the Maharashtra government immediately frame a protocol on cow felicitation. "The state has not yet declared how to honour the cow. It should finalise a protocol so that people can follow it, and also fix penalties for its violation," he said. The Shankaracharya demanded that every assembly constituency in India have a "Ramadham" — a cow shelter accommodating 100 cows. "A total of 4,123 Ramadhams will be built across the country. The shelters will focus on daily cow service, protection, and promoting indigenous breeds," he added. Those following the protocol while caring for cows would be financially rewarded. "A person taking care of 100 cows will receive Rs 2 lakh per month," he added. The Hindu pontiff further said that the Dharma Sansad has passed a congratulatory resolution in support of Hoshangabad MP Darshan Singh Chowdhary, who has demanded that the cow be declared as Rashtramata (Mother of the Nation). The Shankaracharya said people should support only those candidates who protect cows and work for legislation in their interest. "The present regime has not yet satisfied us. Cow slaughter must be completely stopped in India," he added. Addressing the language controversy, he said, "Hindi was first recognised for administrative use. The Marathi-speaking state was formed in 1960, and Marathi was recognised later. Hindi represents several dialects — the same applies to Marathi, which has borrowed from its dialects." The seer said any violence should be treated as a criminal offence. He demanded justice in the Malegaon blast case, stating that the real culprits must be punished. "It is ridiculous that the government is celebrating Amrit Kaal while cows who provide us with milk are being slaughtered. Those in government cannot be called our brothers unless they stand in support of cows," he said. PTI ND NSK ARU
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of making ‘immature' comments against Armed Forces
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday stated that Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's credibility is at stake, citing the Supreme Court's remarks during the hearing of a criminal defamation case related to his December 2022 comments on Indo-China border tensions. At a press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said: 'Such immature, anti-Army, and demoralising statements made without any evidence or facts, especially when our Army was engaged in the Galwan incident, raise serious questions. Why does Rahul Gandhi make such statements? This is a big question. And it is a question about his credibility.' 'The question arises: Does India deserve a more responsible and better Leader of Opposition? As a Leader of the Opposition, who has taken an oath under the Constitution to safeguard the sovereignty of our country, is he destroying that very sovereignty? ...is he helping the nations which are inimical to our country? Is he demoralising the brave Indian armed forces?' the BJP leader asked. Quoting the Supreme Court's remarks, Mr. Bhatia alleged that this was not the first time Mr. Gandhi had displayed 'such an anti-India' mindset. He referred to another defamation case involving comments by the Congress leader about V.D. Savarkar. 'We all know that the commission-hungry Congress failed to procure Rafale jets for 10 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made sure that the Air Force received these aircraft. Displaying similar immaturity, Rahul Gandhi used inappropriate language for the Prime Minister. Subsequently, the Supreme Court's decision affirmed that the addition of Rafale jets strengthened the Air Force and was in India's national interest,' Mr. Bhatia added.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Gujarat HC grants relief to news anchor accused in defamation, atrocities case after complaint by senior Congress leader
The Gujarat High Court on Monday granted relief to an Ahmedabad-based news anchor in a case of defamation and atrocity, filed by Congress leader Dr Tushar Chaudhary, based on the assurance of the Additional Public Prosecutor that the journalist will be served a notice of 15 days in case the investigating officer deems it appropriate to arrest her. Justice Nirzar Desai was hearing the petition by Gopi Maniar-Ghanghar, anchor of Ahmedabad-based Nirbhay News Channel, for quashing and setting aside the FIR lodged at Tapi District, based on Chaudhary's complaint under Section 356 (Defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and various sections of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Chaudhary is the newly appointed Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader in Gujarat Assembly. The court order stated, 'Public Prosecutor Hardik Dave has made a statement before this Court upon instructions received by the Nikita Shiroya (SC/ST Cell Tapi Vyara) that… the investigation is at very initial stage and therefore, it would serve the end of justice if this Court records the statement of learned Public Prosecutor that in case, during the course of investigation, if the investigating officer deems it appropriate to arrest the present applicant, she will be given a clear notice of fifteen days and upon receipt of the notice…' The court further said, 'The applicant would be at liberty to avail appropriate remedy so as to take remedial measure to seek relief against her proposed arrest. Such a period would start from the date of receipt of the notice by the present applicant.' Chaudhary's complaint is also against Jagdish Mehta, group editor of Rajkot-based Headlines News channel. Chaudhary has alleged that the journalists had defamed him and his deceased father, former Gujarat Chief Minister Amarsinh Chaudhary. In the FIR, the Congress MLA from Khedbrahma has alleged that in a show aired on July 22 on Nirbhay News, Ghanghar made an objectionable statement against him. He said Mehta consented to the statements, which were 'defamatory for him and the entire tribal community'. Ghanghar's advocate Utkarsh Dave said, '…Ghanghar… was the interviewer, who does not have control over what the other person is going to say… We will proceed with legal remedy in case the notice for arrest is issued.'
