The Election Commission of India (ECI) has instructed all states and Union Territories to guarantee the swift issuance of 'No Dues certificate' for individuals planning to run in the Lok Sabha polls. This initiative aims to streamline the process for candidates seeking to include the certificate in their affidavits before the upcoming elections. The ECI's directive follows the submission of a total of 4,264 nominations by aspiring candidates for 96 parliamentary constituencies across various States and Union Territories participating in the fourth phase of the elections scheduled for May 13.
Telangana emerged as the state with the highest number of nominations, with 1,488 forms received, closely followed by Andhra Pradesh with 1,103 nominations across 25 constituencies. Notably, the Malkajgiri Parliamentary Constituency in Telangana witnessed the highest number of nomination forms at 177, with Nalgonda and Bhongir constituencies also garnering significant interest from candidates, each receiving 114 nominations. The Election Commission highlighted that the average number of contesting candidates per parliamentary constituency in the fourth phase is 18. The deadline for nomination submissions in all 10 States/UTs participating in the fourth phase was April 25, 2024.
The Election Commission's insistence on the expedited issuance of the 'No Dues certificate' is in response to instances where candidates faced challenges in obtaining the essential document despite clearing all outstanding dues like rent, electricity charges, water charges, and telephone charges. Failure to provide this certificate may result in disqualification during the nomination scrutiny process, posing a risk not only to candidates but also to political parties and the electorate. The EC's order emphasized that prompt availability of the 'No Dues certificate' is crucial to uphold the principles of inclusive electoral democracy, ensuring fair participation for all candidates. This measure is part of ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity and transparency of the electoral process in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections scheduled to conclude on June 1, with vote counting set for June 4.