New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has held talks with 24 recognized national and regional political parties at its headquarters since May. These talks with both national and regional political parties are aimed at improving the electoral process in accordance with the existing legal framework.
Of the 24 political party delegations, five were from national parties and 19 from regional parties. The national parties with whom the Election Commission’s top officials held talks include the Bharatiya Janata Party, Aam Aadmi Party, and Bahujan Samaj Party, while the regional parties included the Samajwadi Party, Janata Dal United, All India Trinamool Congress, and Telugu Desam Party.
Among the national political parties, the Congress delegation has not yet met with the Election Commission for talks. Election Commission sources told ETV Bharat on Tuesday, “As part of its ongoing discussions with political parties, the Election Commission held discussions with 24 recognized national and regional political parties from May 6th to September 9th. These discussions are taking place at the Election Commission headquarters, with the aim of further strengthening the electoral process.”
No talks with Congress
Giving details of the Election Commission’s discussions so far with the delegation of political parties, they said, “Of the 24 political party delegations, discussions have been held with five national parties and 19 regional parties.” Referring to the Congress, Election Commission sources said, “Of the six national parties, discussions have been held so far with five, including the Bharatiya Janata Party. Discussions with the Congress party are still pending.”
The aim is to further strengthen the electoral process.
Election Commission sources told ETV Bharat on Tuesday, “As part of its ongoing discussions with political parties, the Election Commission held discussions with 24 recognized national and regional political parties from May 6th to September 9th. These discussions are taking place at the Election Commission headquarters, with the aim of further strengthening the electoral process.”
Giving details of the discussions held so far with delegations representing political parties, they said, “Of the 24 political parties represented, five are from national parties and 19 are from regional parties.”
Conversations with the Congress Party are pending.
Referring to the Congress, Election Commission sources said, “Out of the six national parties, discussions have been held so far with five, including the Bharatiya Janata Party. Discussions with the Congress Party are pending.” They claimed that the Congress Party has not yet responded to the Election Commission’s invitation for the meeting.
Sources said, “The Election Commission is trying to make contact. A formal letter was sent to the Congress in this regard. A verbal commitment was also made, but they have not yet responded.” They added that the Election Commission will hold more meetings with representatives of various political parties in the near future.
Communication with Political Parties
Sources said, “More such meetings will be held by the Election Commission in the coming days. Election Commission officials are in communication with all political parties. Therefore, a date will be set as per the possible timing of the respective parties.”
Meanwhile, a prominent Congress leader declined to comment on the Congress not yet responding to the Election Commission’s request for talks with its delegation. When asked about this, the prominent Congress leader told ETV Bharat, “I have no information.”
Earlier this year, the ECI had said that a total of 4,719 all-party meetings were held, including 40 meetings organised by Chief Electoral Officers, 800 meetings by District Electoral Officers and 3,879 meetings organised by Electoral Registration Officers, which included representatives of various political parties.
