‘Candidates will have to declare source of spouses’ income too’
EARLIER, A CANDIDATE WAS REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE DETAILS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR SELF, SPOUSE AND THREE DEPENDENTS BUT NOT THE SOURCE OF INCOME
Apart from details of their own income, election candidates will now have to declare the sources of earning of their spouses as well in the affidavits filed before contesting polls.
Accepting the Election Commission’s (EC) suggestion, the law ministry has announced an amendment to the conduct of election rules to include a fresh column in the affidavit related to the “source of income of self and spouse”.
The poll panel’s suggestion, aimed at bringing in more transparency, had been opposed by political parties.
Earlier, a candidate was required to disclose details of assets and liabilities for self, spouse and three dependents in Form 26 while filing nomination papers but not the source of income.
Speaking in favour of inclusion of this detail, the poll panel had submitted in the Supreme Court that the format of the poll affidavit does not give any information with respect to the sources of income of the candidate and his family members to “enable the electors to form an informed choice as to whether the increase of the income of the candidate from the previous election is reasonable or not”.
The new rule notified in April will also make it necessary for candidates to specify whether they are Indian citizens. Only Indian nationals can contest the elections.
Candidates will also have to declare whether they hold an office of profit or positions in a government office — which makes them liable for disqualification.
Other disclosures include details of whether the candidate has been disqualified earlier under the Representation of the People Act for spreading enmity, or declared bankrupt.