Chandigarh: The Election Commission favours
disqualification of a candidate against whom a court has
framed charges in any "serious offence" whose sentence was
likely to be a prison term of five years and above.
"Our suggestion is that a candidate should be
disqualified if a court has framed charges against him/her in
any serious offence, whose prison term was likely to be five
years or above. But our proposal is pending," Election
Commissioner of India, Dr S Y Qureishi told reporters here
today.
Qureishi made the remark when asked on criminalisation of
politics, which he admitted was a "major issue".
Batting for electoral reforms, he said there were several
proposals from the EC which were pending before the
Government.
He informed that the EC had sought delegation of powers
regarding fixing of security deposits of candidates to fight
the elections.
Earlier, Qureishi presided over a meeting of all Deputy
Commissioners cum District Election Officers from Haryana,
where state assembly polls are due for early next year.
Bureau Report
