New Delhi, Jan 15 (ANI): Union Law and Justice Minister Salman Khurshid has said that the Election Commission is an entirely independent and autonomous body.
Kurshid's remarks came in the wake of the Election Commission's letter to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh over undermining its authority.
He said that there were areas where the Election Commission and the government needed to work together.
"As far as the election process is concerned and the Chief Election Commissioner or the Election Commission is concerned, it is entirely independent, autonomous, but those areas of the law that we may have to do anything on, we go by their recommendation and when their recommendation is considered, as it will be, when we begin to start changing the law, bringing about electoral reform for which they have done enormous amount of work and they have already given us a great deal of feedback, but it can only be done once all parties (consent) take place," said Khurshid.
"We will, I am almost certain in saying this and confident that we will be able to provide framework, the additional framework that is necessary for giving free and fair elections under the Election Commission even a higher greater profile that's called for," he added.
The Chief Election Commissioner, SY Qureshi, had earlier on Friday written a letter to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in which he condemned the remarks made by Salman Khurshid, undermining the authority of the Election Commissioner
Commenting on the Lokpal Bill issue, Khurshid said that important laws needed time to be debated in Parliament.
"I am just a one single member of Parliament. It is not in my hands, it is in the hands of parliament but from time to time important decisions come for devolving or transferring important powers to various constitutional bodies. We would certainly be willing to help in whichever way we can but it has to be through the process of the parliament law has to be made," said Khurshid.
"Too many people are excited about Anna Hazare's model of law making, which is, can you please make it now here and give it to, that can't be done. Parliament will make the law but in principle I think there is no problem about many of these issues getting transferred (to) the Election Commission because they are the best people to know how to do this," he added.
The Lokpal Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha was taken up for a discussion and vote in Rajya Sabha. But after a marathon debate that stretched until midnight, the vote failed to take place.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die late night on December 29 amid uproar created by several MPs, without voting on the Bill.
The anti-graft legislation for which Hazare and his team have fomented a successful mass movement may now be taken up in the budget session of Parliament, probably in March. (ANI)
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