Dear Friends,

This is  a very brief note to update you on the latest developments. A more detailed note will follow later this week:

1.. The meeting in Delhi took stock of the situation. There was broad  consensus that the effort will continue;
     ultimately we should work for   larger electoral reform agenda; a core team should be formed; and we
     should bring grassroots initiatives together and build a truly viable  national platform.

2.. There is some very good news from states. The  SECs in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have issued
     orders on the lines of  Supreme Court judgment in respect of local government elections.  Uttaranchal
     did one better; they issued an ordinance broadly in line  with the Supreme Court judgment.

3.. Our team met several major party  leaders. The good news is that Congress party seems to be opposing the
     draft Bill -partly for the wrong reasons! They are opposed to  disqualification criteria being expanded.
     Nevertheless they are now  publicly supporting the disclosure norms as enunicated by the Supreme Court.
     They  are only concerned about the discretion in returning officers' hands. We did our best to allay their
     apprehensions.  And in  any case, that small problem can be addressed by amendment of Rule

4..  CPM also seems to favour disclosures, and says it is opposed to the current draft Bill.

5.. From the current stand of major opposition  parties, it is likely that the Bill will not progress much further. It
     may go to a Parliamentary committee, or it may be a non-starter. Either  way, there is a good chance that
     our immediate objective of a more detailed public debate on the Bill will be fulfilled.

6.. The sad demise  of the VicePresident seems to have postponed the all-party meeting due  on Saturday.
     We will know of further developments during the next 2  days.

7.. The major parties are making one legitimate point:  disclosures, however desirable, constitute only a
      small step forward.  The real issue is comprehensive electoral reform. National Campaign  couldn't agree
      more. We should therefore focus on curbing polling  irregularities, improving voter registration, and
      accountable and  legitimate use of money in elections.

8.. Friends in Delhi need to be in  close touch with parties, in particular Congress and CPM. Public opinion
     strongly expressed over the past month, media pressure and interaction with National Campaign have certainly
     helped shape parties' attitudes.  There should be no let up until this draft Bill is dropped and a genuine electoral
     reform initiative is launched.

with warm regards

Jayaprakash Narayan
National Coordinator

Lok Satta
401/408, Nirmal Towers
Dwarakapuri Colony, Punjagutta
Hyderabad - 500 082
Tel:91-040-3350778/3350790
Fax: 91-040-3350783
E-mail: loksatta@satyam.net.in
url: www.loksatta.org
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