In Brief
A civil society organization (Lok Prahari) challenged the lack of transparency in candidate declarations during elections. The Court held that voters have a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) to know candidates' financial information, including assets and sources of income. The Court directed that Form 26 (the candidate affidavit form) be amended to require disclosure of income sources and government contracts. Non-disclosure of this information constitutes 'undue influence' (a corrupt practice). The Court ordered establishment of a permanent mechanism to monitor legislators' asset growth. However, it declined to mandate statutory amendments to the RP Act, as that is Parliament's exclusive domain, but affirmed that subordinate rules could achieve these disclosures.
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