In a move to bring more transparency, the Narendra Modi Government has amended the Conduct of Election Rules to include a fresh column in the affidavit relating to the ‘source of income of both self and spouse.
This means candidates will have to declare theirs as well as spouse’s sources of income while filing nominations to contest polls. Earlier a candidate was required to disclose details of assets and liabilities for self, spouse and three dependents in Form 26 while filing nomination paper but not the source of income. The Election Commission had approached the law Ministry in this regard last year.
EC is of the view that it will bring transparency in the election process. In an affidavit filed before the SCC earlier this year on the same issue, the poll watchdog had said that it is necessary for ‘healthier democracy’ that voters get to know the sources of income of aspiring candidates and family members. The new rules were notified on April 7 by the law Ministry.
Only an Indian national can contest election in the country. But now there will also be a specific column asking the candidate whether he or she is an Indian citizen. Also, the declarations regarding conflict of interest and office of profit have been expanded through the amendments.