With SC nod, EC releases guidelines for candidates

In the guidelines issued, every candidate at the time of filing his nomination paper for either the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha or the state legislatures has to furnish full and complete information in an affidavit.

This includes information on whether the candidate has been convicted/acquitted/discharged in any criminal offence in the past — if any prior to six months of filing nomination; whether the candidate is accused in any pending case, of any offence punishable with imprisonment for two years or more, if so, the details thereof; the assets (immovable, movable, bank balances etc) of a candidate and of his/her spouse and that of dependents; liabilities, if any, particularly whether there are any overdues with any public financial institution, or government dues; and lastly the educational qualifications of the candidate.

The affidavit by each candidate shall be duly sworn before a magistrate of the first class or a notary public or a commissioner of oaths appointed by the high court of the state concerned, the note says.

‘‘Non-furnishing of the affidavit by any candidate shall be considered a violation of the order of the Supreme Court and the nomination of the candidate concerned shall be liable to rejection by the returning officer at the time of scrutiny of nominations,’’ the EC order says.

The information so furnished by each candidate in the affidavit shall be disseminated by respective returning officers by displaying a copy on the notice board of his office and also by making copies available freely to other candidates and representatives of media. Furnishing of wrong information or incomplete information shall result in the rejection of nomination papers.