SC asks Centre to list steps taken on electoral reforms

NEWDELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Centre for details of the steps it has taken to implement directions on electoral reforms issued by the court in February last year, including one on the creation of a permanent mechanism to monitor the wealth of sitting lawmakers. A bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi did not issue a formal notice to the government but asked secretary of the legislative department, ministry of law and justice, to file an affidavit before the court within two weeks. The court was hearing a contempt petition filed by a Lucknowbased activisit group, Lok Prahari, which also filed the public interest litigation on which the 2018 February judgement was given. SC ruled at the time that politicians, their spouses and associates would have to declare all sources of income, and details of assets, before the former could contest elections.when contacted, the law ministry said it cannot comment on the issue as the matter was sub judice.

The court’s order also suggested an amendment to Form 26, filled up along with nomination papers, in which a candidates could swear that they were not disqualified to contest polls as per election rules. The government was also asked to publicise the changes suggested by the court. Lok Prahari subsequently filed a contempt petition claiming the government did not follow up on some of the court’s decisions.

Lok Prahari’s SN Shukla said the government has not taken steps to give effect to the judgement. He told the court that the EC had only complied with two of its directions: on the disclosure of assets and source of income and the provision in Form 26 regarding income from governments.