Majority of lawmakers during a meeting of the State Affairs Committee (SAC) of the Legislature-Parliament on Wednesday supported the Election Commission (EC)’s proposal that it should be given the authority to announce poll dates in future. 

Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav presented the proposal before the SAC meeting. 

Lawmakers speaking at Wednesday’s meeting were of the view that the trend of announcing poll dates by the government, in consultation with political parties, has been affecting periodic elections, as parties tend to choose a date that suits them. 

Similarly, the lawmakers also suggested that the government make arrangements of providing equal terms to both candidates when they secure equal number of votes, as this would mean respecting the mandate of the people. 

As per the existing practice, when two candidates secure equal number of votes, the winner is chosen through a lucky draw.