FIVE STATES namely Goa, Manipur, Punjab, UP and Uttaranchal are heading towards the State Assembly Polls during February and March this year.

Mr Qureshi, Chief election Commissioner, during a press conference announced that the candidates who were subject to a criminal case and were under arrest over one year before the elections will not be eligible to contest from any constituency. Earlier this period was merely six months.

But we feel that one year tenure is too short a period which should have been at least 3 years. Further no criminal case should be pending against any candidate at the time of filing the nomination paper.

Other than above, showing copies of Income Tax return for the last 5 years should be mandatory. The complete list of the assets/ liabilities of each and every family member of candidate should be enclosed with the nomination paper.

In fact in our country a candidate wishes to win a seat for making quick money by illegal means. A thorough checking of the candidate's financials is a must.

Also the candidate’s age limit should be between 21-65 years only. The minimum qualification of a candidate must be restricted to SSLC / Senior Secondary since a literate candidate is likely to possess better IQ.

The Candidate should be a resident of his constituency for the last 5 years. A  Candidate should be allowed to contest only from one place as per the domicile certificate.

There should be an Extra column in the Ballot Paper with ‘none of the Candidate is up to the mark/ or suitable. We wish a fair election in all these states under the strict control/ supervision of our Election Commissioner.