Affidavits submitted by candidates are needed for wider dissemination of candidates' background information and letting the electors make an informed choice but Gujarat State Election Commission has so far refused to to so.
The voters’ right to know the antecedents of the candidates is based on interpretation of Article 19(1)(a) which provides that all citizens of this country would have fundamental right to “freedom of speech and expression” and this phrase is construed to include fundamental right to know relevant antecedents of the candidate contesting the elections. Also, in March 2003, in ADR vs Union of India case, the Supreme Court, in a landmark judgement, made it mandatory for candidates contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections to declare their criminal antecedents, assets and liabilities and educational qualifications.
In keeping with the spirit of the judgement, at the All India State Election Commissioners' (SEC) Conference held in July 2003, all the State Election Commissions had unanimously resolved to implement the disclosure rules in local body elections.
Polling for six municipal corporations, 56 nagarpalikas, 31 district panchayats and 230 taluka panchayats will be held in Gujarat on November 22 and 29.
#Gujarat State Election Commission fails to upload the affidavits submitted by candidates in local body elections pic.twitter.com/IyCcWYrd6o
— Press Release Watch (@PrReleaseWatch) November 17, 2015
The voters’ right to know the antecedents of the candidates is based on interpretation of Article 19(1)(a) which provides that all citizens of this country would have fundamental right to “freedom of speech and expression” and this phrase is construed to include fundamental right to know relevant antecedents of the candidate contesting the elections. Also, in March 2003, in ADR vs Union of India case, the Supreme Court, in a landmark judgement, made it mandatory for candidates contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections to declare their criminal antecedents, assets and liabilities and educational qualifications.
In keeping with the spirit of the judgement, at the All India State Election Commissioners' (SEC) Conference held in July 2003, all the State Election Commissions had unanimously resolved to implement the disclosure rules in local body elections.
Polling for six municipal corporations, 56 nagarpalikas, 31 district panchayats and 230 taluka panchayats will be held in Gujarat on November 22 and 29.
