Democratic Reforms

Democratic reforms
THE Delhi High Court’s judgement directing the Election Commission to compulsorily provide information to the voters through the media about the criminal background of the candidates contesting parliamentary and assembly elections is laudable. The court has also directed the Election Commission to provide other information to the voter like assets possessed by the candidates and their dependent relatives, educational qualification of the candidates, whether the candidate is accused of any offence and any other information considered necessary by the commission to enable the voter to assess the suitability of the candidate.
It is ironical that in a country where even a candidate for the lowest paid government job has to furnish several particulars to assess the suitability of his candidature, candidates for parliamentary and assembly elections, who eventually become the law makers and thereby guide the destiny of the nation, do not require to give full particulars.
Voters have a right to know the credentials of the candidates and the High Court judgement has upheld this right.
The Election Commission should make a standard format giving all the relevant details, so that the voters can make a comparative study of the worth of different candidates and thus make a judicious choice.
E. M. ADITHYANEdapal (Kerala)