Selection of candidates with criminal records can't be justified by their winnability: SC
New Delhi/IBNS: In a major crackdown on the political parties, the Supreme Court on Thursday said the selection of candidates with criminal records can't be justified by their "winnability", media reports said.
In a bid to bring more transparency in the electoral process, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked all political parties to list the reasons behind giving tickets to candidates who have criminal cases against them.
The top court said the details of the candidates with criminal cases should be published in one local newspaper, one national newspaper and on social media including Facebook and Twitter.
"Political parties will have to specify reasons for selecting candidates having pending criminal cases against them on their website," the court said.
The apex court said on Thursday that the ability to win an election should not be a ruse to field a candidate with criminal records. "The reason to select candidates should be based on merit and not winnability. Winnability can't be the only justification," it said.
The top court also directed the parties to furnish a compliance report with the Election Commission. Failing which, a contempt proceeding will be initiated against the parties.
The verdict was passed on contempt petitions which were filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay and others.
Udpadhyay had filed the petition against the central government and the Election Commission (EC) alleging that despite court order, there were no steps taken to decriminalise politics.
During a hearing on Jan 24, the Supreme Court had admitted that its 2018 order to all political parties to publish details of candidates with criminal records failed to bring out the desired result to make decriminalise politics.
Over 50 per cent of the newly-elected MLAs in the Delhi assembly elections, which were held recently, face serious criminal charges.
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