People queue at a polling station to cast their votes during the Legislative Assembly elections in New Delhi on Feb 8, 2020. (SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP)

NEW DELHI — India's Supreme Court Thursday said political parties must upload details of criminal cases against candidates they are fielding for elections to their websites.

Parties must submit details of these candidates with election commission within 72 hours of their selection 

India's Supreme Court

The apex court said parties also have to put out the reasons for selecting the candidates.

"Winnability can't be the only justification," the court said, adding details of candidates must be put out within 48 hours of selection or before the filing of nomination.

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"Parties must submit details of these candidates with election commission within 72 hours of their selection."

The court's decision has come in response to petitions complaining that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had failed to comply with the directions laid down by the Constitution Bench in 2018 with respect to the decriminalization of politics.The bench had asked the federal government to immediately enact laws to ban those involved in serious crimes from contesting elections and becoming party officials.

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