Kolkata: After the disqualification of candidature of ex-IPS officer Debashis Dhar, who had filed nomination from Birbhum as a BJP candidate but failed to provide the “no dues” certificate, the Election Commission has asked all chief secretaries to issue the “no dues” certificate to intending candidates on an emergency basis.
The chief secretaries have been told to clear the “no dues” certificate within 48 hours of the receipt of such a plea.
Dhar had moved the Supreme Court after his nomination was cancelled.
The EC missive on May 3 said: “An intending candidate could not obtain the ‘no dues’ certificate from the authority concerned and thus could not contest. Thus, it is a significant loss not only for the aspiring candidate but also for the political party and the electorate of the constituency concerned in an electoral democracy.”
Dhar posted on social media: “Thanks to ECI for taking note of my case and issue notification on ‘no dues’ by directing the authority concerned to issue it immediately to candidates and protect their statutory right to contest elections.”