CEC for greater role for Governors

By Vinay Kumar

NEW DELHI, JULY 16. Concerned over the increasing tension during election time, the Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. M. S. Gill, feels that there is need for the Commission to ``keep things cool'' in the political arena.

Dr. Gill's concern stems from the Government's ``dilly-dallying'' on two crucial fronts; disciplinary control of the Commission over the officials conducting polls and enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Both the issues are pending in the Supreme Court. The CEC said he was against a legal fight between the Commission and the Government.

Dr. Gill, who was talking to presspersons here today, said the Minister of State for Personnel, Ms. Vasundhara Raje Scindia, had written to the Commission on July 7 on disciplinary control of the EC over officials. Her letter conveyed that ``it would be appropriate to leave the matter to the Supreme Court.''

Dr. Gill also visualised a greater role for the Governors and favours their ``neutral'' rule two months before election. He referred to the just-concluded Governors conference where the Governors were described by the President as a strong link between the Centre and the States and their role was lauded by the Prime Minister as ``the crucial component of the Constitutional mechanism to make India a vibrant democracy.''

The CEC said a ``neutral'' administration headed by the Governor for about two months before the general or assembly elections, would go a long way in ensuring a free and fair poll.

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