Bar parties not paying dues from fielding candidates: EC

After its proposal to bar candidates from contesting for failure to clear utilities dues, the Election Commission now wants a similar treatment to be meted out to the political parties.

The poll panel has written to political parties seeking their views on the issue and how to implement the Delhi High Court directive that not only candidates but also political parties should furnish 'no dues certificate' before fielding their candidates.

In August 2015, the court had asked the EC to ensure that candidates contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly elections furnish a 'no dues certificate' from the agency providing electricity, water and telephone connections to their accommodation.

The order had said the same rule should apply to political parties also.

"When we were examining the high court order, it was pointed out that it not only pertains to candidates but also to political parties. We are in correspondence with political parties. We have sought their views on how to go about it," Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi told

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)