EC introduces e-filing of poll affidavits for the first time

”The e-filing facility, however, will be optional for candidates this time. We have seen a number of tech-savvy candidates entering the poll fray and, hence, the EC has introduced it as a test case. If it succeeds, its scope would be enlarged,” a senior official said.

According to procedures notified by the EC, after filing the affidavit on line, a candidate has to provide the Returning Officer an attested hard copy.

The e-filing procedures is much like the I-T returns filing on the computer, the official said.

The EC had late last year run a pilot-project in two Assembly constituencies in south India before deciding to roll it out in a full-fledged manner for the general elections, the
schedule for which was announced yesterday.

The importance the EC is giving to these affidavits can be gauged from the fact that the poll panel has stated in its election guidelines that the copy of a candidates' affidavits can be obtained on demand by other candidates, general public and media from the Returning Officer.