Poll candidates, their spouses must disclose source of income, rules SC

The SC has struck down a major portion of the Electoral Reforms Act, candidates should declare their assets and pending criminal cases against them while filing nominations

The Supreme Court on Friday directed that all candidates contesting elections must disclose their "sources" of income, including those of their spouse and dependent children.

In a landmark judgement, a bench headed by Justice J. Chelameswar said the candidate has to disclose his, his wife's and dependent children's source of income when they file nomination for elections.

The court verdict came on a petition filed by NGO, Lok Prahari, which has sought the inclusion of a column in the nomination form seeking details of income sources.

The petitioner has claimed that the candidates, while filing their nomination papers were disclosing their assets, assets of their spouse, children and other dependents, but they were not revealing the sources of income.

As per the law, at present a candidate is required to disclose details of assets and liabilities for themselves, spouse and three dependents while filing nomination paper but not their source of income.

Earlier, during the hearing of the case the apex court had criticised the government for not investigating the huge increase in assets, by up to 500 per cent, of politicians from what they show at the time of nomination.

The Election Commission had also told the top court in January that it must be made mandatory for the candidates to disclose their sources of income along with that of their spouse and dependents at the time of filing nomination to bring transparency in the election process.