Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s nomination papers from Amethi Lok Sabha seat were on Monday found valid after the objections raised by an independent candidate over his educational qualifications and citizenship were rejected.
Returning officer (RO) of Amethi constituency Ram Manohar Mishra declared the nomination papers valid after hearing arguments from both sides at the Gauriganj collectorate.
“Independent candidate Dhruv Lal has submitted uncertified copies about Rahul Gandhi’s citizenship. Rahul has submitted certified copy of electoral rolls relating to New Delhi Vidhan Sabha constituency Number 40 and New Delhi Lok Sabha constituency Number 4 (part 87 and voter number 325). Those raising objections with regard to Rahul’s nationality have not submitted any documents,” the RO said. The RO observed that disposal of some of the discrepancies pointed out in the petition was beyond his purview. “Thus any decision on merits of the issue at the stage of scrutiny does not appear in accordance with the law,” he said.
“Scrutiny of (Rahul’s) nomination paper number 1 was done. For filing of nomination paper, the candidate bought e-stamp that is valid across India. The candidate’s educational qualification is only a part of form-26 and the same has been filled. All the columns of nomination papers have been filled. The candidate has given details about income and properties,” Mishra observed.
{{/usCountry}}“Scrutiny of (Rahul’s) nomination paper number 1 was done. For filing of nomination paper, the candidate bought e-stamp that is valid across India. The candidate’s educational qualification is only a part of form-26 and the same has been filled. All the columns of nomination papers have been filled. The candidate has given details about income and properties,” Mishra observed.
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Mishra also noted that the Election Commission’s handbook for returning officers provided that nomination paper could not be rejected on grounds of errors or incorrect information in the affidavit.
On Saturday, Mishra had deferred scrutiny of Rahul’s nomination papers when the Congress president’s advocate Rahul Kaushik sought time to counter allegations of discrepancies in the nomination papers relating to educational qualification, citizenship and alleged concealment of information about ownership of a company situated in the United Kingdom.