Mumbai: ‘Mandatory to disclose all candidates’ criminal past’

MUMBAI: All candidates contesting the November 3 Andheri East bypoll elections and the parties that nominate them will mandatorily have to disclose through newspapers, electronic media, and on the party websites the candidates criminal antecedents.

BJP Mumbai unit president Ashish Shelar has announced disqualified corporator Muraji Patel as its candidate. Patel was disqualified by the Bombay high court for submitting a fake caste certificate. The Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena has announced Rutuja Latke, widow of Ramesh Latke, as its candidate.

The notice issued by the Election Commission of India further states, “A political party that sets up candidates with criminal antecedents is also required to publish information about criminal background of its candidates both on its website and also in newspapers and television channels on three occasions.”

The first disclosure is to be made within four days of withdrawal, the second between the next five to eight days and the third from the ninth day till the last day of campaign.