Contractors Face Disqualification in Councilor Polls

Main Reasons for Nomination Cancellation

Clear provisions have been made under Section 24 of the Rajasthan Municipality Act, 2009, and the Rajasthan Municipality (Election) Rules, 1994.

If a candidate, either himself, through his partnership firm, a relative, or an employee, holds a direct or indirect interest in any contract, construction work, or other agreement of the civic body, his nomination form can be rejected during scrutiny.

Right to File an Objection

To promote transparency during the scrutiny of nomination papers, ordinary citizens have also been empowered.

Any citizen of the concerned ward or a rival candidate can file a written objection with the returning officer against a candidate, along with concrete documents and evidence.

If the allegations are found to be true upon investigation, the returning officer will have the full authority to cancel the nomination as per the rules.

Other Grounds for Disqualification

Besides financial interests, several other criteria have been set based on which a candidate's nomination can be rejected.

• The candidate has not completed 21 years of age by the date of scrutiny.
• Not submitting the affidavit in the prescribed format along with the nomination form.
• Not attaching the self-declaration regarding having a functional toilet at home.
• A person who has served a sentence of 6 months or more in a crime.
• A person found guilty of encroaching on public land.

Amidst the nomination process for the municipal body elections, these strict provisions of the commission have caused a stir among potential candidates. Now all eyes will be on the objections raised during scrutiny and the documents presented in their support.