Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) has urged the CEO to take appropriate action for what they called incorrect and incomplete information in affidavits by two candidates in the recent assembly elections.
The ADR has pointed out discrepancies in the affidavits of Bicholim MGP candidate Pravin Zantye and Priol MGP candidate Dipak Dhavalikar.
According to the complaint, Zantye has submitted IT returns of only one year though rules demand IT returns of five years.
“This candidate has given IT Returns of Financial Year 2020-2021 ( for himself and Spouse). However, he has not submitted IT Returns of the earlier 4 Financial Years,” the ADR report states.
ECI Guidelines clearly say that “Incomplete information infringes upon the fundamental right of citizens under Article 19(1)(a). Therefore the Returning Officer should remind the candidate to fill the blanks, and if such reminder is ignored, the nomination is fit to be rejected”. We do not know what prompted Returning Officer to accept the Nomination Papers.
Dhavlikar, the letter says, has submitted valuation of his immovable properties precisely the same in all four affidavits since 2012 though it is mandatory to give current market value.
This candidate has valued the Immovable Assets( Landholding) at ” Cost of Purchase” during all the 4 Assembly Elections he contested from 2012. Values enumerated in all four affidavits( 2012, 2017, 2019 bye-elections & 2022) are exactly the same till the last rupee.
ECI Guidelines clearly show that the valuation should be based on “Approximate Current Market Value.” One Property was bought at around 5.5 Cr, admeasuring about 98 acres and figuring in the first three affidavits is missing from the 2022 affidavit.