The Central Government should create a separate and permanent cadre of officers for the Election Commission to help it conduct free and fair polls. The present practice of employing state government officials creates bias in favour of ruling parties which prefer to appoint supple staff to key posts. The permanent appointment of officers to the Election Commission would smoothen the election procedure. It is important electoral rolls are prepared in a transparent manner and there should be no unfair inclusion of names of fictitious persons in the electoral rolls and preparation of bogus election ID cards. In accordance with The Representation of the People Act, 1951, the returning officers or district electoral officers are on deputation to the EC and not under its full control. They are therefore prone to be pressured to favour the election of political parties ruling state governments. It is against public interest and the principle of free and fair polls as mandated under the constitution.
