The phase II factors referred to above are also important and have direct bearing in preventing a free and fair poll. The 170th report of the Law Commission submitted in the 1999 and the report of the NCRWC submitted on 31.3.2002 have dealt with the seriousness the aspect of criminalisation and mafia force in tilting the election result. It has been suggested that a ban should be put against candidature of a person against whom an inquiry or trial for commission of heinous crime like murder, rape etc. are pending since six months or more before the commencement of the election process.
(To be concluded)
