New affidavit format to put contesting candidates in jeopardy

In view of the ensuing General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, the Election Commission of India vide its Letter No. 3/ER/2011/SDR of February 25, 2011, issued to the Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union Territories had prescribed the format in which the candidates contesting election to the Houses of Parliament and State Legislatures have to file affidavits giving information about their criminal background, assets, liabilities and educational qualifications. According to this new format candidates have to give his PAN No and the PAN Nos of his children and wife along with details like the financial year for which the last income-tax return has been filed, total income shown in income tax return etc. To give the public a clear picture about the details of movable and immovable assets of the contesting candidates, the commission seeks every minute details from the candidates. In case of movable properties like motor vehicle a candidate has to give details of vehicle either owned by him or his spouse or his children mentioning the year of purchase and amount. Also in case of immovable properties like land, building etc. either in his own name or in the name of his spouse or children, he has to furnish informations like the Cost of Land (in case of purchase)at the time of purchase, any Investment on the land by way of development, construction, approximate current market value etc. It is pertinent to note that due to the stringent policies of the Commission the people of Bihar get a free and fair assembly election.