New Delhi, November 25
The Rajya Sabha today passed a bill restricting the publication of results of all exit polls till the last round of voting is completed with Law and Justice Minister M Veerappa Moily promising to bring in a legislation for comprehensive electoral reforms in the next session of Parliament.

Replying to the debate on the bill to further amend the Representation of the People Act, the minister said restricting publication of the outcome of the exit polls was considered necessary due to complexities of the election process since voting was nowadays being conducted in several phases. It was felt that the telecast of exit polls after each phase of polling affected the outcome in the subsequent phase of election as well as voter turnout.

The bill also calls for appointment of an appellate authority within the district against the orders of the electoral registration officers, simplification of procedure for disqualification of a person found guilty of corrupt practices, increase in the security deposit of the candidates nominated for elections and bringing all officials appointed in connection with the conduct of elections within the ambit of corrupt practices, if they indulge in furtherance of the candidates’ interests.

Responding to members who participated in the debate, Moily sought to allay apprehensions over accuracy of EVMs. “Nothing is wrong with EVMs - technology is perfect.”

Making his maiden speech in the House, newly-appointed Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament H.K Dua said that political parties needed to reach a consensus to ban the ingress of criminals in politics at the entry level itself. “They (criminal politicians) pose the danger of devouring the party itself. Sleeping with the enemy is always a risk to life,” he warned.

The Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune group of newspapers urged Moily to introduce safeguards in the legislation so that any attempt by criminals to enter politics could be thwarted at the nascent stage itself. “By law, criminals should not be allowed to file nomination papers,” he said.

Dua, who dedicated his speech to Parliament, the country and values they stand for, said though the bill was well meant, it was limited in scope and range. His speech, highlighting criminalisation of politics and the role of big money in the electoral process, was met with applause from members in the House.