EC must monitor political parties after polls: PL Punia

National Commission for Scheduled Castes chairman PL Punia on Saturday said the Election Commission should continue monitoring the political parties and the MPs not just for initial three months after polls but all through their five-year term.

National Commission for Scheduled Castes chairman PL Punia on Saturday said the Election Commission should continue monitoring the political parties and the MPs not just for initial three months after polls but all through their five-year term.

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Speaking on the Electoral Reforms at the Hindustan Times conclave here Punia said the EC should have the powers of monitoring to ensure that the political parties followed their respective election manifestoes. The EC should also prepare a report card for all the MPs and those who switch over their loyalties should be disqualified, said Punia.

Punia supported the government funding of elections and said such efforts would help in checking the role of money Mafia in the elections.

About the dummy candidates Punia said such candidates were affecting the free and fair elections. Why should the independents not be barred from contesting elections under such circumstances, asked Punia.

Punia said a higher turn out in the elections could change the political scenario. Only up to 50 to 60% votes were polled in the elections, he said. A higher poll percentage could change the political scenario, he said. Punia said a low percentage of polling often meant the elected representatives represented only about 10% of the electorate of their respective constituencies.