Political leaders aspiring to contest Assembly and Parliament elections will now be required to affix their photograph on the nomination form. They will also be required to file a separate affidavit declaring their nationality. These have been made mandatory by Election Commission of India.
The Centre has amended relevant rules under Representation of Peoples Act. The Union law ministry has issued notification for the amendment in Conduct of Election Rules 1961.
Chief Electoral Officer of UP, T Venketash said in lucknow on Friday that candidates will have to affix a latest black and white photo on their nomination forms for acceptance. He said that the detailed guidelines of Election Commission in this regard are available on its website.
The CEO said that all District Returning Officers / District Magistrates have been directed to upload this information on the website of respective districts and also apprise all recognized political parties. The DROs have also been asked to Sub-Divisional Officers for wide publicity of the new directives of Election Commission.
Venkatesh also said that the poll panel will run a special two- day campaign for enrollment of women voters and those who have attained 18 years of age from Saturday. The date of special drive for revision of electoral rolls has already been extended to November 15.
“Claims and objections about electoral rolls can be filed in special camps to be set up on November 12 and November 13and booth-level officers will be present in the camps,” said the Chief Electoral Officer of UP.