National Consultation on Electoral Reforms on 2&3 July 2011

National Consultation on Electoral Reforms on 2&3 July 2011 7th Regional Consultation in Guwahati on 12 June 2011 The National Consultation on Electoral Reforms is scheduled to be held on 2 & 3 July, 2011 and shall be attended amongst others by the Prime Minister of India. The Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, had constituted a core committee to look into various aspects on Electoral Reforms in India. It had decided to hold seven regional consultations across various locations in India to elicit views from various stake holders in order to consensually pave the path for Electoral Reforms. . The Election Commission of India is a co-sponsor in this exercise. Six Regional Consultations have already been completed. The seven Regional Consultations will culminate in the National Consultation in New Delhi. The seventh Regional Consultation on comprehensive Electoral Reforms is being held on 12 June, 2011 in Guwahati. This Background Paper is available at the Ministry’s website http://lawmin.nic.in/legislative/ereforms/bgp.doc. The initiatives for Election Reforms would amongst other subjects encompass the following: • Criminalisation of Politics • Funding of Elections • Conduct and Better Management of Elections • Regulation of Political Parties • Audit and Finances of Political Parties • Review of Anti-Defection Law These issues are suggestive and not conclusive. In addition, suggestions and papers would be invited from the concerned citizens, associations and stake-holders. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners will participate in the Conference. The Chief Ministers of the 8 North Eastern states are expected to participate in the Regional Consultation being held in Guwahati. Others expected to participate in the Conference are: • Chief Electoral Officers of the respective States. • Two or three District Collectors from each State. • Representatives from national and regional political parties. • Jurists including the Advocate Generals of the respective States. • Representatives from civil society who are taking up the issues of electoral reforms. • Academicians. • Representatives from media. • States representatives.