The Parliament on Thursday approved a bill which aims to curb criminalisation and corruption in politics.
The Rajya Sabha passed the legislation, which makes it mandatory for candidates contesting parliamentary or assembly polls to disclose their criminal antecedents and declare their assets and liabilities after being elected.
The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2002, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, was adopted in the Upper House by a voice vote after the Statutory Resolution disapproving the RPA (Amendment) Ordinance was negated.
As per the Bill, a candidate contesting an election for Parliament or a state assembly would be required to disclose if he/she is accused of any offence punishable with imprisonment for two years or more in a pending case in which charges have been framed.
The candidate would also have to disclose whether he/she has been convicted of any offence in which the punishment has been awarded for one year or more, for the information of voters.
Similarly, an elected candidate has to declare his assets and liabilities before the presiding officer of the House concerned.
A candidate would be penalised for filing a false affidavit or concealing the required information in nomination paper.