The Hindu : 3,377 candidates disqualified

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 26, 2004

National

National

3,377 candidates disqualified

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 25. The Election Commission has put on its website the names of 3,377 candidates who have been disqualified from contesting the coming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections for not filing expenditure statements within the stipulated time limit, for indulging in corrupt practices and conviction in criminal offences.

As per the statistics available, the 3,377 candidates — 114 in respect of Lok Sabha and 3,263 in respect of State Assemblies — have been disqualified for periods ranging from three to six years — three years for non-filing of expenditure statements and six years for corrupt practice and conviction in criminal cases.

The Representation of the People Act provide for such disqualification under Sections 8A (corrupt practice); 10A (failure to lodge accounts of election expenses) and 11A (conviction arising out of corrupt practice and conviction).

The Commission has compiled party-and-State-wise figures and the list of such debarred candidates, besides being put on the website, will be circulated to the returning officers for the coming elections to enforce the ban.

The maximum number of such defaulters is from Uttar Pradesh (16 for Lok Sabha and 1,452 for Assembly); Tamil Nadu (11 and 307); West Bengal (six and 222); Bihar (six and 200); Haryana (12 and 154); Punjab (nil and 142); Maharashtra (12 and 129); Kerala (two and 103); Andhra Pradesh (13 and 58) and Karnataka (six and 19).

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National