The Supreme Court’s directive to the Election Commission of framing laws which require candidates seeking election to the Parliament or state legislatures to file affidavits on their criminal background if any; however, “the little man may think (it) over before making his choice of electing lawbreakers as law makers”, hasn’t made an impact yet. Not only do electoral and political processes continue to be marked by corruption and criminalisation, but in fact the instruments made available by these very processes are reportedly being used to suppress the truth. This means that we, the people, would need to be more vigilant and need to understand judicial verdicts and EC initiatives and follow up on them.

The writer is director, Centre for Public Affairs, Noida