Candidates with criminal records ought to inform their deeds to voters

Candidates having a criminal record will now have to give details of the cases they are involved in. It came after the Election Commission issued instructions to the District Election Officers for conducting free and fair elections.

Ghazipur: The candidates having a criminal record will now have to keep the people informed about all the details related to cases they are involved in. They have to inform voters about their criminal background through media after filing nominations.

It came after the Election Commission issued instructions to the District Election Officers for conducting free and fair elections.

The District Magistrate of Ghazipur talking to ETV Bharat said, "All the candidates who have filed nominations for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls will have to provide information as to their criminal records in form-26. The details have to be published thrice through different print and electronic media."

"Often parties give tickets to tainted politicians but now people can decide whether these candidates with criminal records are suitable or not," he added.

As per the norms of the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC), the candidates could publish their information at DAVP (Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity) rates through various media organisations.