ForumIAS LATEST
- 04 June | MGP Strategy Series | GS Paper 4 (Ethics) with AIR 7 A.R. Rajah Mohaideen Click Here to register for the session →
- 04 June | GS Advance Program begins from 4th June 2026 | First 2 classes open to all Click Here to register for the event →
- 05 June | MGP Strategy Series | GS Paper 3 Strategy Session with AIR 406 Mannat Luthra Click Here to register for the session
- 06 June | Open Orientation on Essay Guidance Program (EGP 2026) Click Here to register →
- 07 June | Open Orientation for Current Affairs for Mains 2026 Click Here to register →
- 07 June | Sociology Optional Strategy Session with AIR 10 Ujjwal Priyank Click Here to register →
Make filing false affidavit a corrupt practice, EC tells Law Ministry
News
- The Election Commission (EC) has asked the law ministry to consider the filing of false affidavit as a corrupt practice under the electoral law.
Important facts
- Present norms of filing affidavit
- A candidate contesting an election is required to file an affidavit called Form 26 that furnishes information on her assets, liabilities, educational qualification and criminal antecedents
- Current penalty for lying, in an affidavit filed before the EC, is imprisonment of up to six months, or fine, or both.
- Supreme Court view on filing false affidavit
- The Supreme Court agreed in principle that filing a false affidavit in elections is a corrupt practice and should be treated seriously.
- However, it also said that it cannot direct the Parliament to include it in corrupt practices
- Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951
- Eight types of acts are considered as corrupt practices.
- Bribery, appeal on grounds of religion, race and caste, creating enmity between people on the basis of religion, race and caste are among them.
- The punishment for being found guilty of engaging in corrupt practices range from imprisonment to having the election declared void.
- Suggestion of the election commission to Ministry of Law
- Filing a false affidavit, should be made a corrupt practice under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
- Every contesting candidate should disclose its source of income and that of their children
- Election commission has also sought amendment in Form 16 to include disclosure on contracts entered by candidates, their spouse and dependents with the government and public companies.
