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ElEction

background of its candidates, both in
its website and also in newspapers and
Television channel on three occasions.
This requirement is in pursuance of
the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme
Court in Writ Petition(C) No. 784 of 2015
(Lok Prahari Vs. Union of India & Oth-
ers) and Writ Petition(Civil) No. 536 of
2011 (Public Interest Foundation & Ors.
Vs. Union of India & Anr.).
With the announcement of elec-
tion dates, a stage has been set for an
absorbing electoral battle between the
ruling BJP-led National Democratic
Alliance and the Opposition compris-
ing the Congress, Left, and regional
outfits. The ruling NDA, led by PM

The election schedule
was finalised
keeping in mind
the availability of
security personnel
and their logistics.
The EC held elaborate
talks with all

cation dated 26th February, 2019. The Supreme Court dated 13th September stakeholders before
Commission has circulated the revised 2013, in Writ Petition (C) No. 121 of 2008,
format of Form 26 to all the States/UTs the Commission has issued instructions designing poll map
and Political Parties. that in the affidavit to be filed along
With the amendment, it has been with the nomination paper, candidates
expressly provided that declaration are required to fill up all columns. If any Narendra Modi, is trying to retain pow-
on assets shall include full information column in the affidavit is left blank, the er banking on airstrikes against Paki-
about offshore assets. The candidates Returning Officer will issue a notice to stan while Opposition is making a bid
are also required to declare the total in- the candidate to submit a fresh affidavit, to unseat the BJP. Coming days would
come shown in the Income Tax return duly filling up all columns. After such unfold if the changed narrative because
filed for the last five years for the can- notice, if the candidate fails to file the of the jingoism raised by the airstrikes
didates, spouse, HUF (if the candidate affidavit, complete in all respects, the and war hysteria works in favour of
is Karta or Coparcener in HUF), and for nomination paper will be liable to be the ruling alliance or opposition is able
dependents. Facility for e-filing of the rejected at the time of scrutiny. to raise the issues related to slow eco-
affidavit by the candidates is available. nomic growth, lack of jobs, Rafale con-
After e-filing, the hardcopy of the Candidates with criminal cases troversy etc.
affidavit is required to be got notarized Candidates with criminal antecedents The alliance of Samajwadi Party and
by the candidate and submitted to the are required to publish information in Bahujan Samaj Party would also be on
Returning Officer within the prescribed this regard in newspapers and through test for the first time while the UPA
format. The e-filing system will help Television channels on three occasions in view of the rejuvenated Congress
candidates in filling up the information during the campaign period. A politi- would make a strong attempt to come
in the affidavit in the correct manner, cal party that sets up candidates with back to power.
without any omission. criminal antecedents is also required to
In pursuance of the judgment of the publish information about the criminal letters@tehelka.com

tehelka / 31 march 2019 25 www.tehelka.com