Wrong educational qualification information may disqualify a candidate

New Delhi: In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court has said that election of a candidate may be set aside if it is established that he or she has furnished a wrong information regarding the educational qualification in the affidavit. The logic given behind the judgement is that a voter has a fundamental right to know his or her qualification.

The judgement given on Tuesday may create problems for candidates seeking election next year. Five states will go to polls in 2017. The states include Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

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Quoting a provision in the Peoples Representation Act, the apex court said it is the duty of every candidate to give true information about his or her educational qualification. Form 26 has also made it clear to the candidate.

The candidate who loses in such a case does not have to collect any evidence or proof. The winner who furnishes false information stand disqualified automatically.

The Supreme Court pronounced this judgement on a petition filed in a Manipur case.