Broad guidelines of Election Commission of India on Publicity of Criminal Antecedents by Political Parties & Candidates-February,2021

No. 3/4/2021/SDR
Dated: 26th February, 2021

To,
The Chief Electoral Officers
All States/Union Territories

Subject: Publication of criminal antecedents by contesting candidates and political parties in pursuance of the Hon'ble Supreme Court decision in WP (C) No. 784 of 2015 (Lok Prahari
Vs. Union of India and Others and in WP (C) No. 536 of 2011 (Public Interest Foundation & Ors. Vs. Union of lndia & Anr.) and in contempt petition (c) no. 2192 of 2018 in WP (C) no.
536 of 2011 - regarding.
Reference: -

1. No. 3/4/2017/SDR/Vol.II dated 10th October, 2018
2. No. 3/4/2019/SDR/Vol.I dated 19th March, 2019
3. No. 76/ECI/INSTIFUNC/EEM/EEPS/2019/VOL. XVII dated 8th May, 2019
4. No. 3/4/2019/SDR/Vol.III dated 30th August, 2019
5. No. 3/4/2020/SDR/Vol.III dated 6th March, 2020
6. No. 3/4/2020/SDR/Vol.III dated 19th March, 2020
7. No. 3/4/2019/SDR/Vol.IV dated 16th September, 2020
8. No. 3/4/2019/SDR/Vol.IV dated 30th October, 2020
9. No. 3/4/2020/SDR/Vol.III dated 11th January, 2021

Sir/Madam,

  I am directed to refer to the above letters on the subject cited and to send herewith a copy of booklet containing "Guidelines on publicity of criminal antecedents by political parties and candidates" issued in this regard, for your information and future reference. 

2. Attention is brought to Para 5 (Introduction) of the booklet wherein the meaning of National/Vernacular newspapers has been prescribed in the context of Hon'ble Supreme Court's Order dated 13th February, 2020. This must be brought to the notice of all concerned.

3. This shall be informed to all DEOs/ROs in the State/Union Territory for necessary action on their part.

4. This shall also be circulated to all the political parties based in the State i.e. the State Units of the recognised parties and recognised State parties of other States and all registered un-recognised National/State political parties with headquarters based in your State/Union Territory, with instructions to take note of the above direction for strict compliance both by the parties and their candidates in all future elections. This may also be brought to their notice that the candidate, who fails to publish the declaration in the Newspapers, shall be issued notice by the CEO, in the enclosed format.