Arvind Kejriwal's political candidates to take a screen test

NEW DELHI: Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has unveiled an elaborate screening procedure for candidates keen on fighting the next Delhi assembly elections under its banner, hoping to position itself differently from the major political parties it accuses of being hotbeds of "corruption and nepotism"

The party said the procedure will be applicable to Kejriwal as well, although office bearers said that the anti-corruption campaigner was yet to finalise a seat for the polls. "We need candidates with character to fight the elections," said Manish Sisodia, a member of the party's national executive.

Sisodia said the AAP had kicked off the process to select candidates on Monday and would seek public suggestions until May 5, following which a screening committee will shortlist five candidates per seat and then publicise these names in the constituency for any objections and adverse reports. The committee will then interview the candidates, he said.

The shortlisted names will be made public to the party workers in a constituency and there will be preferential voting there. The AAP would send about three lakh emails to professionals and others to suggest names of candidates.