The order/direction of making mandatory for every candidate (contesti...
The ECI only implements whatever directives are framed. It does not have the power to issue such powerful directives. This directive came out in a Supreme Court justice.
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The order/direction of making mandatory for every candidate (contesti...
Explanation:
Background:
Before 2002, candidates contesting in elections were not required to disclose their criminal records, assets and liabilities. This led to the election of many candidates with criminal backgrounds and a lack of transparency in the election process.
Election Commission of India's Efforts:
In 2002, the Election Commission of India (ECI) took the initiative to change this by making it mandatory for candidates to file an affidavit giving details of their property and criminal cases pending against them. The ECI first introduced this provision for candidates contesting in the 2002 assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. This move was seen as a step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in the election process.
Supreme Court's Order:
In 2003, the Supreme Court of India gave a historic judgment in the case of Union of India v. Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Others. The court upheld the ECI's decision to make it mandatory for candidates to file an affidavit giving details of their property and criminal cases pending against them. The court also directed the ECI to ensure that the information provided by the candidates was made available to the public.
The Supreme Court's judgment was a significant milestone in the history of Indian democracy. It brought transparency to the election process and enabled voters to make more informed choices. Candidates with criminal records or those who had amassed wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income were no longer able to hide their records from the public.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the order/direction of making it mandatory for every candidate (contesting elections) to file an affidavit giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him was given by the Supreme Court of India in 2003. This decision has had a significant impact on the Indian election process and has brought about greater transparency and accountability.
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