Maharashtra Elections 2024: Mandatory Disclosure of Criminal Records for Candidates | Nashik News

Nashik: Candidates contesting 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections with criminal records, and political parties Anyone who puts forward such candidates must make all details public criminal history. This is to ensure that voters can make an informed decision during the election, said S. Chockalingam, chief electoral officer of Maharashtra.
Chockalingam said, “According to Orders of the Supreme CourtCandidates in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Sabha or Vidhan Parishad elections with criminal antecedents and the political parties nominating such candidates are required to publish the “criminal antecedents” on designated days during the election process. This should be done in newspapers. electronic media and even on websites and social media platforms in the prescribed format.
The CEO’s office has sent a letter to county election offices, which must forward the information to all political parties in advance. Those submitting their nominations are requested to ensure that they make public the criminal cases filed against them in court.
According to Deputy District Electoral Officer Shashikant Mangrule, “The Election Commission has laid down guidelines that require this information to be published three times during the period. Firstly, within four days of withdrawal of the nomination, again between the fifth and eighth days, and for the third time from the ninth day to the last day of the campaign.”
Information about pending criminal cases against candidates will also be available on the Election Commission website under the “Know Your Candidate” link. Candidates contesting the 2024 Vidhan Sabha assembly election and political parties should take note of these instructions, the official said.
The candidates and the parties must also inform the respective returning officers from time to time about the publication of the information.