Poll affidavits to be affixed on notice boards

Bhopal, Oct 30 (UNI) Candidates aspiring to contest the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh will have to submit two affidavits, one regarding their criminal record and another pertaining to their moveable and immoveable property.

The affidavits will have to be submitted at the time of filing nomination papers. As per the Election Commission of India's instruction, the affidavits' copies will be displayed on the notice board of the returning officer concerned, a release from the Chief Electoral Officer's workplace said here today.

If somebody refutes information provided by a nominee in his or her affidavit through an affidavit, it will also be similarly displayed.

It has been made mandatory to make public the two affidavits submitted by candidates at the time of filing nomination papers.

This is also a requisite of the Right to Information Act.

Returning officers will not only display these affidavits on notice boards of their respective offices, but will also make copies thereof available on demand. Instructions have been given to implement these directives on the very day a nominee submits his papers.

If anyone counters information furnished by a candidate in his or her affidavits through duly submitted affidavits, then copies of these counter-affidavits will also be put on display on the notice board. If someone asks for a copy of a nominee's affidavits, he or she will be provided the same at nominal cost.

These copies can also be handed to media so that the information may be made public on a large scale. The Returning Officer will make the affidavits' copies available to the District Electoral Officer at the earliest so that he or she can give the same at nominal cost to persons who demand them, the release added.

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