New Delhi, March 10: The Election commission of India (ECI) on Sunday made mandatory for all candidates who will contest the Lok Sabha elections 2019 to provide PAN card number while filling the nomination papers. Meanwhile, in the last month also, the ECI directed candidates to file their PAN details in Form 26 and also of their spouse and dependents. Earlier, many candidates used to skip the PAN details. Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Schedule: Voting In 7 Phases From April 11 to May 19, Counting And Results On May 23; Check All Dates For General Elections.

In February, the EC introduced changes on filing norms for the candidates planning to fight the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections. With this, candidates will now have to mandatorily mention their IT (Income Tax) returns of the last five years. Earlier, the candidates are required to reveal only the IT return filed of past one year. Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Schedule: Voting In 7 Phases From April 11 to May 19, Counting And Results On May 23; Check All Dates For General Elections.

Not just the candidate, but the new rules will apply to the spouse and members of the Hindu Undivided Family including the dependents. The new changes were introduced in Form 26 which was notified by the Law Ministry on February 26. Any candidate fighting an election has to file an affidavit known as Form 26, along with the nomination. Model Code of Conduct Comes Into Force Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections 2019: What is MCC or Aachar Sanhita?

The nomination contains details related to the candidate such as assets (movable and immovable). Earlier, candidates were not supposed to reveal information about their foreign investments. But the new proposal, makes it compulsory for the candidates to reveal their foreign investments.

Meanwhile, today, the EC announced the dates for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Voting for the national polls will be held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. The counting of votes will be held on May 23. With the announcement of election dates, the Model of Conduct has come into place with immediate effect. Voting for the Lok Sabha Polls will take place on both Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) as well as VVPAT machines at all polling booths.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 10, 2019 08:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).