Advani writes to EC regarding Presidential polls

New Delhi, July 2: Leader of the Opposition L K Advani today urged the Election Commission to seek information about criminal cases, or dues of the Government bodies or financial institutions, if any, pending against any Presidential candidate in the fray.

In a letter which was handed over to the Election Commision by a BJP delegation, comprising Mr Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Mr Ravi Shanker Prasad and Mr Anant Kumar, Mr Advani said it was essential that the background of each candidate in relation to pending criminal cases, dues of the government bodies and financial institutions were disclosed.

"The Election Commission would be failing in its duties, if it did not carry the judicial pronouncement to its logical conclusion and make effective the right to information and knowledge available to each voter. The exercise of power under Article 324 is coupled with a Constitutional duty. It is incumbent upon the Election Commission to make exercise of voting right effective.

Citing the Election Commission's power under Article 324 and that of right to information to the people under Article 19 (1)(a), the former deputy Prime Minister said that even though the electoral process for the election for the President had already commenced, "it is incumbent for the EC even now to require all candidates to make necessary dislcosures as are expected from the candidates seeking to enter legislative bodies," he said, noting that there were still 19 days left for the voting.

Such disclosures for each MP and Members of Legislative Assembly or even in indirect elections to the Rajya Sabha and state Legislative Councils were mandatory, Mr Advani said.

UNI