Editorial
EC's welcome move
Political parties should back it up in their own interest
THE election commission's decision to revisit and amend provisions of the Representation of People Order (RPO) that relate to default on bank loans and payment of utility bills is a move in the right direction. We recall that in a climate of heightened public consciousness for reform of electoral rules, the EC had brought the first amendment to the RPO with a six-month provision for rescheduling loans and payment of backlog bills.
But it had to soon bend backwards and dilute the provision to the extent of reducing the stipulation to seven days only in which to reschedule their loans and pay up utility bills to qualify for election. The EC had to compromise there to respond to a strong demand from the political parties for relaxation.
Under very special circumstances, this perhaps was sought to be rationalised, though not with any unassailable reasoning that it was just a one-off accommodation. For, election after election, big defaulters of bank loans and utility bills had managed an easy sail through the elections by paying a token installment up-front at first and then repay over staggered schedules. The net result has been continuation of default culture and dwindling public confidence in the credibility of the MPs as lawmakers.
Now, therefore, it is in the fitness of things that the EC is drafting a rule to provide a six-month timeframe in the RPO to allow defaulters to reschedule loans and pay up arrear bills to be eligible for candidature. It is also good to learn that suppression of information while filing applications for candidacy will make one liable for disqualification.
The EC has naturally decided to engage all political parties in a dialogue and consultative process for the sake of carrying out an appropriate amendment to the RPO. This is very close to the heart of the electorate. We believe that it's in the interest of the political parties and a vibrant democracy that they lend full support to the EC's initiative to bear fruit.
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