Election Commission wants life ban on tainted leaders, files affidavit in Supreme Court

Source:- intoday.in

The Election Commission has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court saying it supports a life ban on tainted political leaders. The central poll panel, in its affidavit, said that convicted netas should be barred from  contesting elections for life. Currently, this ban is for six years.

At present, a person, convicted in a serious criminal case, is barred from contesting polls for six years and a lawmaker stands disqualified in the event of conviction.

The Election Commission also backed speedy disposal of cases pertaining to politicians.

The poll panel’s affidavit in the apex court came in support of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ashvini Upadhyay.

The questions, raised in the petitions, also include whether a person against whom charges are framed be permitted to contest elections.

Besides Upadhyay, former Chief Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh and NGO ‘Public Interest Foundation’ had filed PILs raising similar issues. The pleas were referred to the larger bench which is yet to be set up.