NEW DELHI, Sept 23 - In an action against defaulters, the Election Commission has disqualified 63 persons in Assam who contested Lok Sabha and Assembly elections for non-submission of expenditure details under Section 10 of the Representation of Peoples� Act.
The EC direction, issued recently to Returning Officers and other election authorities, penalises the defaulters for a period of three years ranging from 2014 to 2017.
Section 10A of the Representation of the Peoples� Act, 1951 disqualifies candidates for failure to lodge account of election expenses. If the candidate has no good reason or justification for the failure, the Election Commission can disqualify the person for a period of three years from the date of the order.
According to the EC order, four candidates who contested from Dhubri Parliamentary Constituency were disqualified for three years, one each from Jorhat, Nagaon and Barpeta constituencies, three from Silchar, Karimganj (two) and Kaliabor (four).
The highest number of candidates, who were disqualified contested in the Assembly elections, and disqualification of four candidates extends to 2017, as a result of which they may not be able to contest the Assembly polls scheduled next year.
The number of candidates who contested Assembly elections and have been disqualified included two from Patharkandi, one each from Dharampur, Barpeta, Sarukhetri, Gohpur, Kaliabor, Udarband, East Bilasipara, Rupahihat, Bokakhat, Bongaigaon, Baghbar, Dibrugarh, Tingkhong, Mancachar, Goalpara, Guwahati, Goalpara and Dispur.
Three candidates, each from Sonai, Borkhola, Hailakandi and Katlichera were also disqualified. Besides two each from Tamulpur, Lahowal, Amguri, Nazira, Guwahati, Kalaigaon, Sonari, Algapur and Margherita were also disqualified.
