‘Show source of income to contest polls’

‘Show source of income to contest polls’

Context:

In a landmark judgement in poll reforms, the SC on Friday has ruled that politicians, their spouses and associates must declare their sources of income, along with their assets, in order to qualify for contesting elections.

Details:

• The judgment, authored by Justice Chelameswar has observed that manifold and undue accretion of assets by legislators or their associates is a good ground for disqualification
• The SC has further directed the government to set up a permanent mechanism to monitor the accrual of wealth of sitting MPs and MLAs, their spouses and associates.
• It observed that assets and sources of income of legislators and their associates should be continuously monitored to maintain the purity of the electoral process and integrity of the democratic structure