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SC directive to be applicable
in Maharashtra RS polls

The Election Commission will enforce the Supreme Court directive regarding the antecedents of a candidate in the coming byelection to a Rajya Sabha seat in Maharashtra.

"Any candidate contesting the Rajya Sabha election in Maharashtra, a notification for which would be issued on July 8, would have to file an affidavit giving his antecedents, including criminal record, if any," Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh said.

As per the guidelines laid down by the commission following the apex court order, a candidate at the time of filing his nomination paper for any election to the council of states, house of the people, legislative assembly of a state or the legislative council would have to furnish full details of any involvement in a criminal case, assets held by him and his family members and any conviction by a court of law.

The EC guidelines say that any violation of its directive by a candidate or his concealing of any fact would result in rejection of his nomination.

Asked how the commission would tackle the issue of benami properties of a candidate, Lyngdoh said: "If there is benami property, somebody will have to come up with a writ petition."

PTI

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