Tamil Nadu is one among some States where the role of money power in elections is “a little more acute,” [compared to other States], according to V.S. Sampath, former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
The other States included Karnataka and Maharashtra, Mr. Sampath told The Hindu on Saturday, responding to a set of questions over the phone.
Though he did not give any specific reply to queries on the problems faced by the Election Commission in these States, the former official, who demitted the office of CEC last week, identified four fundamental issues to be addressed for making polls free and fair — limit on expenditure of political parties, paid news, bribery in elections and the power to de-recognise political parties.
Mr. Sampath also suggested the Commission be empowered to withdraw recognition of erring political parties. “At present, the EC does registration of parties. There are about 1,800 political parties in the country, of which around 50 are recognised. But, the Commission does not have the power to de-recognise political parties.” When told that the Commission had the power to withdraw symbols assigned to parties, he felt that this was not adequate.
