Consultations with stakeholders must for electoral reforms: Rijiju

NEW DELHI, JAN 25

(PTI): Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said comprehensive consultations with stakeholders, including political parties, are essential for implementing electoral reforms.

Referring to various proposals on electoral reforms moved by the Election Commission, he said consultations and discussions are a “symbol” of a vibrant democracy.

He said the changes made in election laws a year ago have resulted in addition of over 1.5 crore new voters in the electoral list. Four cut-off dates instead of the

Kiren Rijiju

one earlier has helped young eligible citizens to register as voters once they turn 18, he said.

The minister also lauded the move to allow those above 17 years of age to register with the EC in advance. Once they turn 18, their names are added in the voters’ list.

Addressing the 13th National Voters’ Day event here in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, companion Election Commissioners and representatives of various political parties, Rijiju recalled the role of various unsung heroes who have not been awarded but have made sacrifices while helping hold free and fair polls.

On the issue of electoral reforms, he said he is in constant touch with the EC and and had been holding meeting with officials of the poll panel on the issue.

The two leaders also discussed the cascading impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on availability of food, energy and fertiliser, and called for a “coordinated and concerted” approach to deal with terrorism, including cross-border terrorist activities.

Following the talks between Modi and Sisi, the two sides inked five agreements providing for cooperation in areas of culture, information technology, cyber security, matters relating to youths and broadcasting.

In the talks, the two leaders also decided to take the volume of bilateral trade to USD 12 billion in the next five years from around

USD seven billion at present, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said while describing the Modi-Sisi talks as “extremely productive” and “very warm”.

The 68-year-old influential Arab leader, who arrived here on Tuesday on a three-day visit, will grace the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest on January 26.

“Strategic cooperation between the two countries will help in promoting peace and prosperity in the entire region. So in today’s meeting, President Sisi and I decided to elevate our bilateral partnership to the level of ‘strategic partnership’,” Modi said in his media statement.

“We have decided that under the India-Egypt strategic partnership, we will develop a long-term framework of greater cooperation in political, security, economic and scientific fields,” he said.

The prime minister said India and Egypt are worried about the spread of terrorism around the world and the two sides are unanimous in the opinion that it is the most serious security threat to humanity.

“Both countries also agree that concerted action is necessary to end cross-border terrorism. And for this, together we will continue to try to alert the international community,” he said.

The Egyptian President echoed Modi’s views on terrorism and said united efforts are required to deal with the menace.

“We have similar views on dealing with terrorism and extremism,” he said.

The prime minister noted that there is immense potential for enhancing security and defence cooperation between India and Egypt.

“We have also decided in today’s meeting to further strengthen cooperation between our defence industries, and enhance the exchange of information and intelligence related to counter-terrorism,” he said.

“Misuse of cyber space to spread extremist ideologies and radicalisation is a growing menace. We will extend cooperation against this also,” Modi added.

In his remarks, Modi said he and Sisi held extensive discussions on strengthening the food and pharma supply chains affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict.