Publish details of candidates’ criminal history on website, SC tells parties
The Supreme Court said information on cases, offences and trial stages should be published on party websites and in local vernacular newspapers, as should the reasons behind candidate selection.
The Supreme Court has ordered all political parties to make comprehensive information on the criminal background of their election candidates available to the public, both through their websites and through print media.
Information on cases, offences and trial stages should be published on party websites and local vernacular newspapers, as should the reasons behind candidate selection, the court said.
These details must also be provided to the Election Commission of India within three days of a candidate’s appointment, it said.
The Election Commission can initiate contempt of court proceedings if the information is not submitted to its authorities or posted online.
The Supreme Court’s instructions come close of the heels of an assembly election in Delhi, where more than half of the newly-elected MLAs face criminal cases, according to the Association for Democractic Reforms.
In fact, the number of Delhi MLAs with criminal cases has nearly doubled — from just 24 in 2015 to 43 in 2020 (out of a total of 70).
The number of MLAs with serious criminal cases — including rape and attempt to murder — is 37.
