Candidates filing affidavits online cannot leave blank columns

Candidates filing their affidavits online for the Lok Sabha elections cannot leave any column blank as the software being used by the Election Commission will not accept incomplete forms.

The move comes after the Supreme Court recently ruled that the returning officer can reject nomination papers of a candidate for non-disclosure and suppression of information, including that of assets and their criminal background.

"Online submission will not accept any incomplete application in respect of columns which are required to be filled in mandatorily and thereby ensures that no column is left blank which may lead to rejection of nomination paper," an EC directive sent to all Chief Electoral Officers yesterday said.

The facility to file affidavits online is optional.

Candidates going for e-filing facility will have to enter the required information through the EC website.

For the convenience of the candidates, the software allows candidates to take print of their online submission on stamp paper.

The printed copy on stamp paper will have to be certified by a public notary, first class magistrate or an oath commissioner.

"It may be noted that the notarised affidavit has to be filed (before the returning officer) latest by 3 PM on the last date of filing nomination," the directive said.

The online affidavit can be changed by the candidate using the portal even after taking a print out on a stamp paper anytime before submitting it personally to the returning officer.

In September last, the apex court said that voters have fundamental right to know about their candidates and leaving columns blank in the nomination paper amounts to violation of their right.

A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said that the power of returning officer for rejecting nomination papers must be exercised.

The EC, in its reply, had said that by resorting to such tactics, candidates have been able to frustrate voters' right to critical information about themselves.