STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: J and K Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Tuesday released the analytical data compiled from the affidavits and undertakings submitted by the contesting candidates of all political parties during the ongoing first phase of State Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference, State Coordinator ADR and Head J and K Election Watch, Balwinder Singh along with Raman Sharma and Deepak Sharma, both members of Sangarsh RTI Movement, released the compiled list of all contesting candidates wherein the whole data is categorised into different sections and sub sections including background, financial status and educational qualifications of the candidates.
Citing judgment of the Supreme Court of India, Balwinder said that the Apex Court has specifically said that voter has the elementary right to know particulars of a candidate and such a right to get information is universally recognized. He said that in this context their organisations have come up with this report which would be helpful to voters for checking the credentials of the candidates.
As per the report, out of 123 candidates in fray, four have criminal background. The report also includes the names candidates having highest and lowest assets besides educational background of each candidate. The report also revealed that there are only three women candidates which accounted just two per cent of total contesting candidates. It also underlines the details of financial liabilities on the shoulders of the candidates besides unveiling the names of some candidates who have not even submitted their Income Tax Returns which is mandatory as per IT rules. The report also mentions the party wise crorepati candidates.
Balwinder also informed that their organisations would continue to provide more information to strengthen the grass root level democracy in a transparent manner. While interacting with the media, the activists of these organisations stated that the analysis conducted by them is not to defame or promote any particular party or candidate and the whole exercise is apolitical in nature.