What is the Disclosure by Candidates?
Recently the Election Commission of India has made it mandatory consequent upon a Judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court that all candidates must file an affidavit along with their nomination form with details such as:-
i. his/her criminal antecedents,
ii. his/her assets and liabilities and those of his/her spouse and dependents, and
iii. his/her educational background.
This has been done with a view that every citizen has a right to know about the candidates contesting an election and make an informed choice.

The Election Commission has directed all Returning Officers to display the copies of nomination papers and accompanying affidavits received during any day on his notice board immediately on receipt and make copies of these for distribution to the press and any members of public who want this information, free of cost. Any citizen of the country can obtain copies of the nomination form and the affidavit filed by any candidate from the
Returning Officer and it shall not be refused. As a voter you have every right to seek this information and get it.

The details of the dues owed by the candidates to the Government are published by giving an advertisement in the leading newspapers by the Returning Officer for the benefit of electors.

Above measures help the electors make an informed choice about the candidate they are going to vote for.

What are the basic do’s and don’t’s as polling day approaches?
As a voter you should also know the aspects that are considered as corrupt practices or electoral offences:
(i) Offering or accepting money or any other gratification either to vote for or not to vote for a particular candidate.
(ii) Inducement by way of liquor, feast, gifts, etc. to vote for or not to vote for a particular candidate.
(iii) Inducement to vote or not to vote for a particular candidate on the grounds of religion, caste, community, sectarian beliefs or place of birth.
(iv) Threat to an elector of ex-communication if he votes for or against a particular candidate.
(v) Offer of free conveyance to any elector to go to or from any polling station.

Courtsey ECI : you can download whole document of users guide from here.