Representation Of Peoples Act

There are no laws governing social media statements of the government

The result of a lack of rules is that there is no legal obligation on the government to make accurate public statements, or keep a record of the statements.

Poll campaign cut-off is a fiction, run right into the voting hour

One reason for the bar against canvassing for votes after a specified cut-off time is to provide the voter an opportunity to contemplate all options the options about a party and a candidate without the intrusion of the ever-increasing volume of campaign noise that pester, seeking the voters’ favour.

SC approves amendment to RPA, those in jail can now contest polls

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed Centre's plea seeking review of its judgement debarring arrested persons from contesting polls, saying it is not necessary to look into the issue in view of amendment in law by Parliament.

President should send ordinance back to govt, says Arvind Kejriwal

Holding that the ordinance on convicted MPs and MLAs has created discontentment among people, Aam Aadmi Party leaders on Friday met President Pranab Mukherjee and requested him to send it back to the government for reconsideration.

Compulsory voting: FPTP will function better if parties have internal democracy

An email received from Prof Jagdeep Chhokar, founding member of Association for Democratic Reforms [ADR] in response to the interview with Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan.

Compulsory voting will draw young voters and is welcome: Loksatta chief

Loksatta party chief Jayaprakash Narayan talks about why the current political system is flawed and what can be done to improve this.

Review plea in SC on debarring arrested persons from contesting polls

Petitions seeking review of two land mark judgements of Supreme Court disqualifying MPs and MLAs on being convicted and debarring arrested people from contesting polls have been filed in the apex court.

Persons in custody cannot contest polls in legislative bodies: Supreme Court

In another pathbreaking verdict to prevent criminal elements from entering Parliament and state assemblies, the apex court ruled that only an "elector" can contest the polls and he/she ceases the right to cast vote due to confinement in prison or being in custody of police.

SC landmark judgement: Convicted MPs, MLAs must go

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court on Wednesday has termed as ultra vires a section of Representation of the People Act that allows a convicted lawmaker to remain in office till pendency of cases against him.

Elections can't be fair with parties promising freebies in manifestos: SC

The bench, however, concluded that the promises in an manifesto under the present law cannot be declared corrupt practice but has asked the Election Commission to act on it.