Voters can view candidates' criminal records, assets at booths

MUMBAI: Come next phase of municipal council elections in Maharashtra, voters will be able to see details like criminal records and assets of the contestants at every polling booth, state Election Commissioner J H Saharia said today.

"The state Election Commission will give an advertisement in newspapers, and will also display the details (mentioned) in the affidavit submitted by the candidate outside every polling booth. Every voter will be able to see those details before casting vote," Saharia told reporters in Pune.

The decision was taken in view of the difficulties encountered by people in accessing details of the candidates concerned. It will come into effect from the second phase of municipal council polls, slated for December 14.

"The election commission has been declaring the details of candidates that include assets, vehicle ownership and criminal cases if any. The process has started after the Supreme Court verdict in 2001.

"Despite it, there have been complaints of people finding it difficult to access such information on the website of the election commission. To overcome such problems, we have decided to undertake the exercise," he added.