EC: parties have to state reasons for fielding ‘criminal’ candidates in assembly polls

The Election Commission on Saturday said it will be compulsory for political parties to upload details of candidates with criminal cases on their websites.

Adding that winnability cannot be the only condition, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said that parties will also have to mention the reasons behind fielding such candidates in the 5-state assembly elections which begin next month.

There will be mandatory publicity of criminal antecedents, in newspapers and TV channels on three occasions, he added.

The decision is in line with the Supreme Court's ruling last year, in which it had suggested political parties publish details of candidates with a criminal background on their respective websites, social media and newspapers.

Also watch: Elections in five states from Feb 10-March 7; results on March 10

Such details have to be published in one local newspaper and one national newspaper and on social media within 48 hours of filing of nomination, the court had ruled in February 2020.