On Thursday, the Supreme Court directed political parties to upload the reasons for the selection of candidates with a criminal background on their website. The court has given this decision because the criminalization in politics has seen a significant increase in the last four national elections. The apex court says that it will be mandatory for political parties to upload details on their website and social media within 48 hours. The parties will have to give details within 72 hours to the Election Commission.
The Supreme Court has also directed political parties to publish their identity cards, achievements and details of their crime on the website, in newspapers, social media platforms and on their website giving reasons for the selection of candidates with a criminal background. The Supreme Court says that if political parties do not follow the order, they will be liable for contempt. The court has asked the Election Commission to file a contempt petition in the court if the political parties fail to follow the order.
During the hearing, the court said that the reason for selecting the candidates should be based on merit and not on the basis of winning. The ability to win cannot be rationalized. The court has given this decision on contempt petitions filed by lawyer Ashwani Kumar Upadhyay and others.
