EC directs parties to publish criminal record of candidates

The Election Commission has issued instructions for mandatory publication of criminal antecedents of candidates. Briefing media on Saturday,CEC Sushil Chandra asserted that the people have all rights to know their candidate's background and the pending criminal cases before they turn to choose their representatives. He directed the political parties to upload the details of the candidates on their respective websites. It is mandatory for political parties to upload  detailed information regarding individuals with pending criminal cases selected as poll candidates. They will also have to give a reason to select the candidate. This information will be uploaded on Election Commission's Know Your Candidate web page for voters to make an informed decision, he said. 

The decision comes in line with the Supreme Court's ruling last year, in which it had suggested political parties publish details of candidates with a criminal background on their respective websites, social media and newspapers, in a move to bring more transparency and accountability in the electoral process. However, the ability of a candidate to win elections should not be the reason furnished for fielding a candidate, the apex court also explained.According to him, all officials on election duty are to be double-vaccinated and treated as frontline workers. He asserted that the polling officials will be administered COVID booster doses before the elections.