Panel opposes delay in disqualifying corrupt candidates

The 'inordinate' delay in disqualifying a poll candidate found guilty of corrupt practices defeats the very purpose of punishment, a Parliamentary Standing Committee has observed.

The "inordinate" delay in disqualifying a poll candidate found guilty of corrupt practices defeats the very purpose of punishment, a Parliamentary Standing Committee has observed.

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In its report on Representation of the People (Second Amendment) Bill 2008, the panel favoured prescribing a time limit in disqualification cases as otherwise the person can take advantage of the delay to enjoy the benefit accrued to him during the interim period.

The panel headed by senior Congress MP EM Sudarsana Natchiappan in its 47-page report said non-serious candidates should be discouraged from contesting elections as their aim is to get publicity rather than to win the polls.

"When too many candidates enter the election fray, some of them just to create a record of contesting so many number of elections only, it warrants increased expenditure in terms of manpower and balloting units," it said.