Team Herald
PANJIM: The Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) has urged the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to take appropriate action for what they called incorrect and incomplete information in affidavits by two candidates, who fought the Assembly elections.
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The ADR has pointed out discrepancies in the affidavits of two Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) candidates Pravin Zantye (Mayem) and Deepak Dhavalikar (Priol).
According to ADR Goa Coordinator Bhasker Assoldekar, Zantye has submitted IT returns of only one financial year 2020-2021 (for himself and spouse). However, Zantye has not submitted IT returns of the earlier four financial years although rules mandate IT returns of five years.
Dhavlikar has valued his immovable properties exactly same in all four affidavits since 2012 though it is mandatory to give approximate current market value. Also one land property admeasuring 98 acres purchased by Dhavalikar at around Rs 5.5 crore and figuring in the first three affidavits is missing from 2022 affidavit, Assoldekar said.
Assoldekar said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines clearly states that “Incomplete information infringes upon the fundamental right of citizens under Article 19 (1) (a). Therefore, the returning officer should remind the candidates to fill the blanks and if such reminder is ignored then the nomination is fit to be rejected.”
Assoldekar said that the ADR had brought it to the notice of the CEO, Goa vide letter dated December 9, 2021 much before the date of filing nomination papers apprehending such likelihood.
“We have written once again to CEO, Goa on March 1, 2022 along with ECI guidelines on discrepancies,” he said adding “ADR believes that actions on such matters should be taken by returning officer and/or by the office of the CEO to avoid such occurrences in future.
