Summary:
All such candidates with criminal cases are also required to publish the above declaration on TV channels on three different dates during the above mentioned period. If a candidate is contesting an election on the ticket of a particular party, he/she is required to inform the party about the criminal cases pending against him/her”. Dharwad: In a move that could deter political parties to some extent from fielding candidates with criminal background for the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India has, for the first time, introduced a condition wherein candidates with criminal antecedents will be required to publish information in this regard in newspapers and through TV channels on three occasions during the campaign period. The ECI will take a final decision in the matter.In its judgment the Supreme Court has directed that each contesting candidate shall fill up the form as provided by the Election Commission and the form must contain all the particulars as required therein.“It shall state, in bold letters, with regard to the criminal cases pending against the candidate. political party that sets up candidates with criminal antecedents is also required to publish information about the criminal background of its candidates, both on its websites and also in newspapers and TV channels.“This will make the voter know whether he/ she is voting for a candidate with criminal background,” said political analyst Harish Ramaswamy.The new condition has been introduced by the ECI following direction from the Supreme Court in the writ petition filed by NGO Lok Prahari against the Union of India in 2015 and another writ petition filed by Public Interest Foundation against Union of India and others in 2011 through amendments in Form no.26 (Format of affidavit by candidates)..