Rules, norms do not permit EC to be discussed in Parliament: Rijiju
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Rijiju also pointed out that an executive decision of the EC was not answerable by any minister
Kiren Rijiju
Parliament is unlikely to discuss the Election Commission's ongoing special intensive revision of the electoral roll in Bihar as its does not fall under relevant rules or conventions.
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju told the media on Friday that while the prerogative for permitting a discussion lies with the chairs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, discussing a constitutional authority has to be in conformity with rules and norms.
Rijiju also pointed out that an executive decision of the EC was not answerable by any minister. "If it were a case electoral reforms then that would be via a legislation and the law minister would introduce a bill. That is not the case with a constitutional institution like the EC," he said.
Government sources said the opposition was well aware of the rules and norms and pointed out that senior congress leader Balram Jhakhar had given a ruling as Lok Sabha Speaker that the EC could not be subject to discussion in Parliament.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)
Anusreeta Dutta is a columnist and political ecology researcher with prior experience as
an ESG analyst