Justice Sachar demands right to recall, reject

Justice (Retd) Rajinder Sachar today echoed anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare in demanding electoral reforms to incorporate a right to recall elected representatives and reject poll candidates.

“We need electoral reforms empowering people with the right to reject a candidate or recall an elected representative to save the country from being led by corrupt leaders,” Mr. Sachar said.

Reminded that Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi had ruled out the right to recall on the ground that it was not feasible for a country like India, Mr. Sachar said, “It is very much possible to have ‘Reject’ in the EVM or a Ballot paper for the voters who will not like to vote for any candidate in the list.

Mr. Sachar, who prepared the report on the status of Indian Muslims, spoke on behalf of the ‘Socialist Party (India)’ on the occasion of its first state conference.

Though not holding any post in the party, he was described by party leaders as one of their chief patrons.

Mr. Sachar said the Socialist Party (India) would contest at least 50 seats in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

He claimed the party would not field any capitalist, muscleman or a candidate with criminal antecedent as candidates.

He also opposed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati’s idea of dividing the state into four parts.