Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily has critized the Election Commission of India for not taking action against candidates against whom complaints of misconduct and violation for the Model Code of Conduct are made.

Dr Moily asked the EC, ‘Is there one instance where the EC has investigated and disqualified a candidate? ‘What do you (EC) do after the elections? Thereafter, I think the cases are not pursued. This is the area the EC has to apply its might.’ The Law Minister made the remark in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Navin Chawla at a seminar on electoral reforms.

Dr Moily was also not happy with the judiciary and without mincing words he said, ‘The judiciary take its sweet time. Till the next term is over, they (judges) will not dispose of the case.’ He expressed willingness of the government for more power to the election panel, including a new law to give more teeth to it for speedy action against the violators of electoral rules and laws. He said ‘whatever the support of law is required, I am there to make the law. You want the power, we will give you the power.

‘Somebody has to be accountable to what happens to the cases and complaints registered against the violators of law during elections.

It is a must to put fear of law in the minds of mischievous and anti social elements.’ Blaming both the EC and Judiciary for indifferent attitude in the disposal complaints and election petitions, the Law Minister added, ‘We will provide you help but enforcement is your job. I don’t think the EC is that disabled in enforcing the law, otherwise people will have no fear of it.’ The Law Minister, however, agreed with the view of Mr Chawla that prisoners, who have the right to contest the elections, should also be given right to vote in elections.

Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan was also present at the seminar.

UNI