Bengaluru: The Election Commission has reminded the Lok Sabha candidates to declare any criminal cases against them, in the media 48 hours before the elections begin.
Chief election Commissioner Sanjeev Kumar has informed that as per the directive of the Supreme Court the candidates have to declare all the criminal cases registered against them in minimum three newspapers and three electronic media.
Addressing a press meet here, on Monday he said that many candidates have not declared the criminal cases registered against them so far. In this condition, the candidates have to declare the details of criminal cases in their name in the coming two days or 48 hours before voting begins.
It is the responsibility of the political parties and their candidates to fulfil this requirement. If they do not abide by the directive of the SC it will be considered as a failure to abide by the law and appropriate actions will be taken against such candidates.
A meeting of the political parties was called and they were informed about rules and regulations they have to abide by this general election.
Details of the punishment for not abiding by the rules are yet to be given to the political parties. The EC has the right to cancel the recognition of the political parties or revoke it for not abiding by the rules.
For any advertisement after 48 hours, in the newspapers or in the electronic media, prior permission of the EC is compulsory. Otherwise, appropriate action will be taken said the Chief Election Commissioner.
