Dimapur, March 23 (MExN): The Election Commission of India has issued notifications on modified terms of details political candidates are required to give. The details coming under the purview of modifications include those related to properties and band deposits owned by the candidates.
The office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland issued a notification today informing of the commission’s directives. The Election Commission of India has modified the format of the affidavit every contesting political candidate has to file with the Election authorities when filing nominations for election to either the Parliament or State assemblies. The format describes information on education qualifications, ownership of moveable and immovable properties, liabilities and criminal background, if any.
The latest modifications require the candidates to give more detailed information about the properties owned by the candidates, about his spouse and (up to) 3-year dependents. Information such as details of bank deposits, investments in bonds/shares, cash at-hand, ownership of vehicles and other transport and jewelry, are to be provided.
For immoveable properties, details about ownership or agricultural and non-agricultural land and commercial and residential buildings are to be given. “It is hoped that with more detailed information the voters will be able to make a more informed choice and judgment about the candidates aspiring to represent the voters in their respective constituencies,” CEO Alam stated.
The Election Commission of India had issued notifications in 2003 about information candidates were required to give in affidavits. This was to maintain the “purity of elections” and enhance transparency of the election process as in accordance with the Supreme Court of India’s observance. The court had observed – “In a democracy, the electoral process has a strategic role and the little man of this country would have basic elementary right to know full particulars of the candidate who is to represent him in parliament/state assembly where laws to bind his liberty and property may be enacted.”
The office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland issued a notification today informing of the commission’s directives. The Election Commission of India has modified the format of the affidavit every contesting political candidate has to file with the Election authorities when filing nominations for election to either the Parliament or State assemblies. The format describes information on education qualifications, ownership of moveable and immovable properties, liabilities and criminal background, if any.
The latest modifications require the candidates to give more detailed information about the properties owned by the candidates, about his spouse and (up to) 3-year dependents. Information such as details of bank deposits, investments in bonds/shares, cash at-hand, ownership of vehicles and other transport and jewelry, are to be provided.
For immoveable properties, details about ownership or agricultural and non-agricultural land and commercial and residential buildings are to be given. “It is hoped that with more detailed information the voters will be able to make a more informed choice and judgment about the candidates aspiring to represent the voters in their respective constituencies,” CEO Alam stated.
The Election Commission of India had issued notifications in 2003 about information candidates were required to give in affidavits. This was to maintain the “purity of elections” and enhance transparency of the election process as in accordance with the Supreme Court of India’s observance. The court had observed – “In a democracy, the electoral process has a strategic role and the little man of this country would have basic elementary right to know full particulars of the candidate who is to represent him in parliament/state assembly where laws to bind his liberty and property may be enacted.”
