Arunachal BJP MLA's election declared null and void by Gauhati HC for concealing information in affidavit

Digital Desk: The Itanagar bench of the Gauhati High Court confirmed Dasanglu Pul's election as a ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member in Arunachal Pradesh null and void under the Representation of People Act for hiding information regarding her holdings in her poll affidavit.

The BJP leader, the third wife of former chief minister Kalikho Pul, was re-elected to the Hayuliang seat in 2019 after first winning it in a by-poll in 2016 following her husband's death. However, Lupalam Kri, a Congress candidate who lost to Pul in 2019, filed a case in court challenging her election.

"...the respondent/returned candidate [Dasanglu Pul] had not presented her nomination paper following Section 33 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, and as such, the respondent/returned candidate's nomination paper is liable to be rejected," the court ruled.

The HC went on to add, "As a result, the improper acceptance of the respondent's/returned candidate's nomination by the returning officer has materially affected the result of the respondent's/returned candidate's election."

Kri said in his suit that Pul's candidature was significantly flawed since she failed to reveal her husband's four properties in Mumbai and two in Arunachal Pradesh in her affidavit. He further stated that despite a written complaint against Pul, the returning officer wrongly allowed her candidature.

Dasanglu Pul, on the other hand, claimed in court that, according to the legal heir certificate, Kalikho Pul's first wife Dangwimsai Pul is the owner of his estates. As a result, she informed the court, she did not include any of those properties in her election affidavit.

Dasanglu Pul has declared that she will appeal the HC verdict to the Supreme Court.

According to observers, this instance emphasises the need for transparency and honesty in the voting process. Candidates must disclose all pertinent information, including their assets and liabilities, for voters to make educated selections. Failure to do so can result in harsh consequences, including removal from office.