Want to strengthen the Election Commission: Khurshid

Mathura, Feb 25 (ANI): Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Saturday said the government wants to strengthen the Election Commission by empowering it with more rights.

Talking to mediapersons here Khurshid said the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on Corruption intends to give greater powers to the election body and does not intend to clip its wings.

"We want to further empower the EC. See how big hearted we are even after getting a notice we are empowering the EC, giving them more rights," said Khurshid.

Khurshid further said the constitutional backing of mode code of conduct will not end the Election Commission's power to enforce it.

"Why would it end? We will constitutionalize it in such a way that EC is further empowered. So far no decision has been made in this regard only after due consultation with EC we will do something. Only after all parties discuss this matter the decision can be taken. UPA or Congress alone cannot do anything," he added.

Khurshid on Tuesday said the central government is planning to discuss electoral reforms at the all-party meeting after the conclusion of elections in the five states.Khurshid , however, later denied that he had no knowledge about the agenda of the meeting of the group of ministers.Chief Election Commissioner S Y Qureshi had also criticized this move as an attack on the powers and privileges of the electoral body. (ANI)