The Election Commission has urged the government to amend the electoral law to empower it to either postpone or countermand elections if evidence emerge of use of money to influence voters. In a recent letter to the Law Ministry, the Commission said, a new clause '58 B' be inserted in the Representation of the People Act to allow adjournment of poll or countermanding of election on the ground of bribery. It has requested the government to take early action on its proposal.<br/><br/>At present, the Commission has powers to cancel or postpone polls if they have been vitiated due to use of money to get votes. But now the poll panel wants the government to amend the Representation of the People Act to make use of money power a ground to cancel or countermand polls. The Commission's move comes against the backdrop of parties allegedly doling out cash and gifts to woo the electorate.

The Election Commission today asked the government to amend the electoral law to empower it to either postpone or countermand elections if evidence emerge of use of money to influence voters. <br/><br/>In a letter to the Law Ministry , the Commission said a new clause '58 B' may be inserted in the Representation of the People Act for the purpose. It has requested the government to take "early action" on its proposal. <br/><br/>According to PTI, the Election Commission's move comes against the backdrop of parties allegedly doling out cash and gifts to woo the electorate.