New Delhi, Feb. 18 (NNN): Former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh may have left office but he is still known for outspokenness. The man expressed his utter disapproval at the money spent by the current Atal Behari government on its 'India Shining' campaign.

And Lyngdoh hoped that the advertisement campaign would be halted “as soon as possible”.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on 'Elections and Democracy' he said even if it was not wrong legally at this juncture, it was not proper considering that it involved tax payers' money.

Replying to a question on the use of aircraft by Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani for electioneering, Lyngdoh said, "The prime minister is different from anyone else. That distinction should be maintained."

Lyngdoh said there was lot of scope for electoral reforms in India and added that the Indian democracy was about quantity and not quality.

"The problem in India is that the candidate does not stand a chance in the elections if he does not spend a heavy amount irrespective of the party he belongs to," the former CEC said, adding: "In the government service one is taught ethics, but in politics there is no one who can teach ethics."

Lyngdoh said the Election Commission was trying to streamline the electoral role by removing bogus voters. The Public Interest Litigations (PILs) have also helped in improving the electoral system, the former CEC said. 

Source: INDO link