Candidates' criminal objections must be published within 48 hours of the election: SC

Candidates' criminal objections must be published within 48 hours of the election: SC

Candidates' criminal objections must be published within 48 hours of the election: SC

New Delhi : The SC on Tuesday ordered political parties to publish information regarding criminal antecedents of candidates on their websites to make it easier for the voters to access it.

A Bench led by Justice RF Nariman said such information shall be published within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate and not prior to two weeks before the first date of filing of nominations.

It would now be necessary to have on the homepage of websites (of all parties) a caption stating “candidates with criminal antecedents”, it said.

The top court directed the EC to create a mobile app containing all such details about poll candidates. It also directed the EC to carry out an awareness campaign and create a fund for the purpose within four weeks.