Poll panel calls all-party meet on electoral reforms

NEW DELHI - The Election Commission has called an

all-party meeting Oct 4 to discuss various electoral issues, including the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and the pernicious role of money power during polls, an official said Sunday.

According to the official, the poll panel has invited the leaders of all political parties, including state and regional leaders.

“The meeting is on Oct 4. It will take up various electoral issues. Criminalisation of politics, the use of money power during elections and also use of EVMs,” the official told IANS.

The month-long Bihar elections will also be discussed, the official added. Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi had said he would be soon be calling an all-party meeting to discuss all poll-related issues when he had announced the Bihar elections Sep 6.

Bihar will elect a new 243-member assembly during staggered polling that begins Oct 21 and ends Nov 20. The counting will be on Nov 24.