Provide quick no dues certificate: EC

◗ EC SOURCES said this is to prevent significant loss to the candidates & parties during the polls

A week after the nomination of BJP’s Birbhum candidate and former IPS officer Debasish Dhar got cancelled after the West Bengal government, report edly, did not give a “no dues certificate” after his resignation, the Election Commission (EC) has directed states and Union territories to promptly issue this document to candidates after the bills are settled. EC sources said this is to prevent significant loss to the candidates and parties during the elections.

As per the rules, a candidate has to provide a “no dues certificate” after clearing all dues towards the government accommodation, electricity and water charges, telephone bills, etc.

The EC has directed all states/UTs to ensure that the “no dues certificate ‘’ by all the concerned agencies/authorities/dep artments is to be given to intending candidates within 48 hours of the receipt of the request letter in case where dues are not pending or are not due by law. In case there are dues, authorities have to provide details of dues accrued to such persons within 48 hours of submitting of application to agencies and to issue a “no dues certificate” within 24 hours of clearing such dues.

Sources said if the candidate is not able to provide a “no dues certificate” even after clearing all dues it goes against his candidature at the time of scrutiny of nominations.

“There is no respite to the candidate even if he submits a ‘no dues certificate’ after expiry of the statutory period of filing of nominations in the constituency concerned. Such instances may cause significant loss not only to the aspiring candidates but also to the political parties and electorate of the constituency concerned and undermines the principles of participatory electoral democracy,” sources added.