Conduct of Elections (Amendment) Rules, 2019 notified by Central Government | Changes in “Form 26” introduced

S.O. 1023(E)—In the exercise of the powers conferred by Section 169 read with Section 33 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951), the Central Government after consulting the Election Commission hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, namely:––

1. (1) These rules may be called the Conduct of Elections (Amendment) Rules, 2019.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. In the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 in FORM 26,––
I. in PART A—
(i) for paragraph (4) and the Table thereunder, the following shall be substituted, namely:—
“(4) Details of Permanent Account Number (PAN) and status of filing of income tax return:

[Refer link for detailed notification: Notification]

Ministry of Law and Justice

Note: In accordance to the amended Form 26, five years’ returns are to be furnished, along with details of offshore assets. Along with this,  it would also require details under various heads of the candidate’s spouse, members of the Hindu Undivided Family (if the candidate is a ‘karta’ or coparcener) and dependents.