New Delhi, Mar 01: Observing that "an informed voter is foundation of democracy", the Delhi High Court today asked the Election Commission to seek affidavits from candidates, including MPs, contesting the coming Lok Sabha polls regarding arrears due from them towards facilities like telephone, electricity, water, accommodation and travel and give it "full publicity." "The Election Commission shall take effective steps to publicise at least in two local dailies the information furnished by candidates with regard to government dues to be recovered from them", a Division Bench of Chief Justice B C Patel and Justice B D Ahmed said. The ublicity to be given by the EC in the form of advertisements, would be in addition to that given by the media - print and electronic, it said.

The court, however, clarified that the candidates would not be required to obtain "no dues" certificates from the departments concerned and produce the same before the Returning Officer while filing their nomination papers. The court also issued notices to the Secretaries General of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha asking why the arrears vis-a-vis telephone, electricity and water bills of sitting and former MPs were not deducted from their salary, allowances and pension as permissible under the relevant rules.

The information to be furnished by candidates relate to outstanding bills for facilities of telephone, electricity, water, accomodation and vehicle availed of by them beyond the limits permissible under rules. Bureau Report