Why is it in the news?
- EC reduced Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang’s disqualification period by almost 5 years under a provision of electoral law, paving the way for him to contest state elections.
What does Section 11 say?
- It allows the ECI to reduce or remove disqualification “for reasons to be recorded”.
- According to the ECI, the legislature has deemed it necessary to vest this Commission with this power with the understanding that socio-economic-political factors may, in certain peculiar circumstances, warrant that the general disqualification prescribed by statutory rule should be removed/reduced by exercising this extraordinary power.
- Tamang’s conviction in a corruption case had attracted the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, debarring him from being an electoral candidate for six years from the date he was released.
