Question : Candidate with Criminal Background

(a) whether the Union Government has taken any action to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling that all political parties must publicise the details of candidates with criminal backgrounds who have been fielded to contest elections and also must explain the reasons for selecting the candidate with criminal backgrounds;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the total number of parties that have followed the Supreme Court’s rulings and published in its websites and other print and electronic media;
(d) whether any action is being taken by the Government against those parties not following the Supreme Court’s rulings; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (b) : The Election Commission has informed that in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s Judgment dated 25th September, 2018 the Commission has issued instructions to all Chief Electoral Officers and political parties whereby it has directed that people with criminal antecedents contesting elections are required to publish the declaration about such cases, for wide publicity in newspapers and TV channels. The Political Parties are also required to publish such details of their candidates in newspapers, TV Channels and websites.

(c): The Election Commission has informed that the political parties are required to submit a report in the prescribed format to the Chief Electoral Officer of the election bound State, who, in turn, will furnish the compliance report to the Election Commission. A list of 27 political parties has been prepared as per the compliance report submitted by the Chief Electoral Officers of the States and election expenditure statements of National and State Political Parties.

(d) to (e) : The Election Commission has informed that the failure to comply with the instructions laid down by the Commission by the candidates or political parties may be a ground for post election action like election petition or contempt of Hon’ble Supreme Court. However, so far no action has been taken against any political party for non compliance of the direction.