Indore: It is mandatory for candidates to take oath of loyalty to the country and constitution. The oath has to be taken before the Returning Officer. But, those who are in jail and are contesting elections have to take it before the jailor. The ECI has issued instructions in this regard to all the CEOs and DEOs of poll-bound states.
Deputy District Election Officer Dr Rajneesh Shrivastava said that it is mandatory for the candidates contesting elections to take oath of allegiance to the country and the Constitution. This oath has to be taken after filing the nomination papers and before the date of scrutiny and they have to obtain certificate of taking the oath. The format of oath will be given free of cost along with the nomination papers by the Returning Officer. .
It is important to know that besides the Returning Officer, if the candidate is ill, he/she can take oath in front of the doctor, if imprisoned then in front of the jailer and if he is in abroad, then he must have to take an oath before the High Commissioner.