Bar those facing major charges from polls: Election Commission
Candidates against whom charges are framed should be barred
New Delhi:The Election Commission has proposed that candidates against whom charges are framed in henious crimes be barred from contesting elections, albeit with safeguards to prevent misuse. It also proposed that false affidavits be made a ground for disqualification.
This recommendation is in the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s recent intervention, under which those convicted of serious offences are instantly disqualified from being an MP or MLA.
“For those facing criminal charges, the commission has proposed to the law ministry (that) at least in cases where the (minimum) punishment is imprisonment of five years, if a person is accused and charges are framed at least six months before the poll date, they should be disqualified from contesting,” Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath said.
He added this had been referred by the law ministry to the Law Commission, that was working on recommendations on electoral reforms.
The CEC said a “safeguard” was also proposed to prevent misuse of this provision, so genuine candidates aren’t chargesheeted and kept away from the electoral process.