614 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Mr. Chairman: I shall now read the amendment in the amended form and it will be clear to hon. Members. Amendment (of Dr. Ambedkar as above) moved.
Shri Shiv Charan Lal: As I have pointed out previously with regard to clause 44 if the words “or such other officer as may be prescribed” are put after the words “Returning Officer” in paragraph 1, it will make the position clearer and easier; because at the time when the polling is going on it is very difficult to search out the returning officer and get the name changed.
Shri Santhanam : The words “Returning Officer” are not there; the only words are “in the prescribed manner”.
Mr. Chairman: The returning officer may not be found at every polling station. If this is inserted, that notice may be given to any other officer, it would be better.
Shri Santhanam: Does it refer to the counting agent or the polling agent ? So far as the counting agent is concerned it has to be only to the returning officer.
Mr. Chairman: The wording is “may appoint……another polling agent at any time before the poll is closed and shall forthwith give notice of such appointment in the prescribed manner to the Returning Officer.” This is not practicable. Either the mere giving on notice is sufficient or the notice may be given subsequently to the returning officer or such other officer or polling officer.
Shri Santhanam: The words “in the prescribed manner will do”. The words “Returning Officer” may be dropped.
Dr. Ambedkar : All these things have come upon me rather suddenly. I have not had time to go through them. This amendment was handed to me in the morning. I must safeguard my own position. My amendment may be accepted as it is subject to my right of reopening the question again in the House, if I find that the amendment creates any difficulty; or let the thing stand over. In that event the whole Bill must stand over now.