Editorial
Public access to information about candidates
The obligatory principle being impinged
IT is reported that out of 46 candidates for mayoral election to four city corporations as many as 12 have not furnished details about themselves such as education (in case of city corporation election), source of income, immovable property, tax return, loans and liabilities, criminal records, if any, which was obligatory for them. According to law, if seven stipulated information are not furnished through affidavit the candidature is liable to be cancelled, but to our knowledge, none of such incomplete nomination papers have been rejected so far. In some of the information provided there is apparent fabrication, inconsistency and discrepancy and against few items the word non-applicable has been used. There is a veiled, or not so discreet, attempt at suppression of facts.
The question is why such nomination papers with incomplete affidavits were accepted at the RO's level? Either the returning officers have failed in their duty or the EC is turning a blind eye. For returning officers, it must be a matter of an hour or two to verify the truth about the candidates' statements. It seems to us that the machinery is not working as it should have. It is now, therefore, incumbent upon the EC to check on the accuracy or otherwise of the particulars furnished and exercise its writ to cancel defaulting candidatures.
There is a public perception that the old discredited alleged criminals and corrupt people are creeping in to stage a comeback through the elections. The CA has himself expressed a concern and directed district officials to stand guard against such possibility. In this context, the need for a close scrutiny of the nomination papers, also made mandatory in terms of the latest legal requirement, could hardly be overstated. Rather than having the ACC do a post-facto investigation into the affidavits and the EC taking action in light of the finding to invalidate an incumbent's election, as has been suggested, it is much more practical and prudent to screen out those from the race who are found to have concealed information in the affidavit.
All concerned must strive to hold free, fair and credible elections as an auspicious precursor to an impeccable general election.
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