Haryana CEO mandates disclosure of criminal records for assembly candidates

Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal announced that candidates contesting the upcoming assembly elections in the state, as well as political parties, must disclose any criminal antecedents.

This information must be published not only on the official websites of the candidates and parties but also disseminated through newspapers and television channels.

Candidates with criminal backgrounds are required to publish this information three times during their election campaign in both newspapers and on television.

Additionally, political parties that nominate candidates with criminal records must also publicize these details on three occasions across their websites, in local and national newspapers, and on their official social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter.

These disclosures must be made within 48 hours of the candidate’s nomination. Furthermore, political parties are required to submit a compliance report to the Election Commission within 72 hours of the candidate’s nomination.

Any non-compliance with these directives will be reported to the Supreme Court, as it would violate existing court orders.