Chandigarh: The State Election Commission (SEC) of Haryana has issued new instructions for candidates planning to contest the Haryana Panchayati Raj Elections 2026. Candidates with pending criminal cases or past convictions are now required to disclose their legal history publicly to ensure transparency and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
Declaration Requirement for Candidates
According to the SEC, any candidate facing criminal proceedings or convicted in previous cases must publish a declaration in at least two newspapers. One of the publications must be in Hindi and the other in English. This move aims to keep voters informed about the backgrounds of the candidates in the upcoming Haryana Panchayati Raj Elections 2026.
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Strengthening Transparency in Local Elections
The announcement comes ahead of the Panchayati Raj polls, as the SEC seeks to reinforce voter trust in the democratic process. By mandating public disclosure of criminal cases, the commission ensures that candidates are held accountable and voters can make informed choices during the Haryana Panchayati Raj Elections 2026.
Legal Oversight and Compliance
The SEC emphasized that compliance with these guidelines is mandatory. Candidates failing to publish the required declaration may face disqualification from contesting the elections. Officials have also instructed district authorities to monitor the publication of these notices and report any non-compliance to the commission ahead of the elections.
राज्य चुनाव आयोग हरियाणा द्वारा पंचायती राज संस्थाओं के चुनाव लड़ने के इच्छुक उम्मीदवारों के लिए निर्देश जारी किए गए हैं।
यदि पंचायती राज संस्थाओं के चुनाव लड़ने वाले उम्मीदवारों के खिलाफ अपराधिक मामले दर्ज एवं लंबित हैं या जिन मामलों में उन्हें पहले दोषी ठहराया गया हैं, उन्हें…
— DPR Haryana (@DiprHaryana) April 9, 2026
Ensuring Free and Fair Elections
With the Haryana Panchayati Raj Elections 2026 approaching, the SEC’s latest directive is expected to enhance the credibility of the electoral process. Candidates are being urged to cooperate fully to ensure a smooth and transparent election process across all panchayats in the state.
The Haryana government, through its official X account, also highlighted the importance of these measures, stating that public awareness and accountability are key to strengthening grassroots democracy.