Candidates contesting polls have to declare own and kins' income sources

With the government approving the Election Commission's suggestions on financial disclosures, candidates contesting elections will soon have to disclose their sources of income along with those of their spouses and dependents at the time of filing nomination papers.

The Union Law Ministry submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court saying that a decision was taken to amend the rules to include a column in the nomination form, in which a candidate can fill in the details, a report published in Hindustan Times said. 

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, however, refused to accede to the demand to make furnishing of false information a ground for disqualification, citing that it was for the legislature to take a call on this.

The present law requires a candidate to disclose details of assets and liabilities of self, spouse and three dependents in Form 26 at the time of filing papers. 

Besides, a candidate is also required to furnish details of liabilities, educational qualifications and criminal antecedents, if any, at the time of filing nomination. 

The Ministry filed the affidavit in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) initiated by a Lucknow-based NGO Lok Prahari seeking a judicial direction on the income disclosure issue. 

The Election Commission has supported the petitioner saying disclosure of sources of income is necessary for “healthier democracy”.