New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi said on Sunday that the Representation of the People Act should be fine-tuned to make penalties for violating the model code of conduct (MCC) more stringent but disfavoured giving statutory backing to the code.
Speaking to reporters, Quraishi said the poll panel had the authority for conducting free and fair elections and did not require more powers.
"But we need to fine-tune and update certain provisions of the Representation of the People Act to make penalties for violation of the MCC more stringent," Quraishi said.
The CEC said current fines for violations of the MCC were ridiculous. He said there was a fine of only Rs 500 prescribed under the act for a violation, which needed to be updated to bring it in line with the current realities.
Quraishi's remarks came after the conclusion of the process of voting Saturday for electing new assemblies in five states including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand.
Voting was held in Manipur Jan 28, Punjab and Uttarakhand Jan 30 and Goa March 3. The seven-phased poll process in Uttar Pradesh also ended March 3. Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa and Uttarakhand recorded their highest ever voting percentage.
Quraishi said that though the MCC had only a moral authority, it was sufficient for conduct of free and fair polls as seen in the successful conclusion of elections to the assemblies of five states.
"The world looks at the model code of conduct with wonder...No one should undermine the model code of conduct," he said.
During the campaign in Uttar Pradesh, the commission issued notices to union ministers Salman Khurshid, Beni Prasad Verma and Sriprakash Jaiswal for alleged violation of the code.
A controversy was sparked by media reports on a suspected move to give statutory backing to the MCC, but the government denied that it was discussing any such proposal.
Quraishi disfavoured statutory backing for the MCC and said it was a unique document which the political parties had themselves evolved for discipline during elections.
"It is working very effectively. It only needs some fine tuning," he said.
He said statutory backing to model code was a very vague suggestion. "When we do not need any power, then why are you giving it to us forcibly," he said.
Quraishi said the MCC worked effectively and quickly like a fire-brigade dousing fire. "If such matters go to court, it will take six to seven years...you have seen in the last three-four years there has been not a single hate speech or any personal attack against each other. It is an effective tool, than many laws of the land," he said.
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