Chandigarh (PTI): Expressing concern over increasing use of money and muscle power in electoral process, Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamion Friday emphasised the need for strengthening the Election Commission bodies of states.
"Office of the state commissioners should be strengthened, if required. After retirement an Election Commissioner should not hold any office," the CEC suggested during the 10th All India Conference of State Election Commissions (SECs) held here.
Emphasising the significant role being played by the SECs, Gopalaswami said the commissioners should be given a uniform status across the country. "There should be a provision to select them by a cross section of the society without any partisan attitude," he said.
He suggested that a High Court Judge should be appointed as the Election Commissioner. He said the Election Commission and SEC have some common problems which would be discussed soon to find solutions.
The CEC said that it is high time to have seamless electoral rolls with progression from wards to Parliamentary constituencies. "Negotiations are on with the Census Commission for Census Block which will not change from one census to another," he added.
Haryana Governor Dr A R Kidwai asked the state commissioners to further strengthen the election system in the country.
Chairman of the Standing Committee of SECs and Maharashtra state commissioner Nand Lal said that the 13th Finance Commission has been approached to provide funds to purchase voting machines.