Times of India: Mumbai: Saturday,
April 05, 2014.
In a
path-breaking initiative, the Election Commission has allowed citizens to
challenge the details in the affidavits filed by candidates. These details
include the ones on their wealth and assets, liabilities, educational background
and criminal cases against them, if any.
EC officials
said this had been done to "keep a check on candidates who may hide
personal details and give wrong information to the commission through
affidavits". Experts welcomed the move, saying this will allow alert
citizens to put pressure on politicians trying to hide or twist facts and
figures.
State
electoral wing sources said the move was aimed at encouraging more people to
read and scrutinize the affidavits of the candidates and, if needed, challenge
and expose any details they found inconsistent with facts. "We have been
asked to immediately put all the affidavits in the public domain. We want
voters to take more interest in the personal details of their candidates to
gauge their ability to represent them," an officer said.
In cases
where a citizen thinks a candidate has filed wrong information, he or she can
file a counter-affidavit to challenge the details given. A citizen can file a
counter-affidavit after the last day for filing nominations is over. However,
candidates have also been allowed to submit additional information till the
last day of filing nominations to make their case foolproof.
The officials
said the commission will first scrutinize the details in the candidate's
affidavit and counter-affidavit. In case the commission finds any misleading
information, it can refer the case to a court. The court will decide on the
fate of the candidate.
IPS
officer-turned-lawyer-and-social-activist Y P Singh welcomed the move, saying
it was something the people had long wanted from the EC. He said such reforms
would help bring more genuine and honest people into politics.
RTI and
social activist Shailesh Gandhi said it would put pressure on candidates to be
truthful and honest. "There are several people around these politicians
who know them better and who will never allow politicians to hide details by
exposing them through counter-affidavits," Gandhi said. "This power
(for the people) will create fear among politicians and put more public pressure
on the candidates."
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