At which Assembly elections in 2003 was the new mandate first enforced that a candidate must file, along with nomination papers, an affidavit disclosing details about spouse and dependents?

Introduction / Context:
Electoral reforms in India have increasingly focused on transparency about the background of candidates. One important reform required candidates to file an affidavit along with nomination papers, disclosing details such as the assets and liabilities of the candidate, spouse, and dependents. This question asks when this particular affidavit requirement, including the details of spouse and dependents, was first enforced at a General Election. Knowing this helps you understand the timeline of judicial and legislative interventions promoting transparency in Indian elections.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question is about the first enforcement of an affidavit requirement covering spouse and dependents.
• All options refer to Assembly elections held in 2003 in different States.
• The options mention elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan with Delhi.
• We assume familiarity with Supreme Court judgments directing greater disclosure by candidates.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is that of mandatory affidavits following landmark Supreme Court judgments on electoral transparency. After these judgments, the Election Commission began enforcing rules requiring candidates to disclose criminal cases, assets, liabilities, and related information in an affidavit. The specific enforcement of affidavits containing details about spouse and dependents first took effect at the Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh in 2003. This fact is documented in exam-oriented polity material and Election Commission records.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to make asset and background disclosure by candidates compulsory.Step 2: Understand that the Election Commission issued orders requiring candidates to file an affidavit with nomination papers, including details about spouse and dependents.Step 3: Among the 2003 Assembly elections, note that Himachal Pradesh is specifically associated with the first enforcement of this extended affidavit requirement.Step 4: Compare the options: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan with Delhi.Step 5: Choose 'Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh in 2003' because that is widely cited as the first use of the new affidavit requirement.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can recall that many examination guides and reports on electoral reforms mention Himachal Pradesh as the first State where the affidavit requirement regarding candidates' personal and family details was implemented in practice. Later in 2003, the requirement was applied to other Assembly elections such as those in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Chhattisgarh. However, the earliest enforcement at a General Election level is linked to the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections in 2003, making option C the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in December 2003: These elections did see the affidavit system in place, but they were not the first to implement the spouse and dependent disclosure requirement.
• Assembly election in Mizoram in November 2003: Although reforms were spreading, this was not the earliest case associated by exam standards with the new affidavit mandate.
• Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Delhi in December 2003: Again, the affidavit requirement applied, but well after the Himachal Pradesh elections in the same year.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students remember that 2003 was a major year for implementing the affidavit requirement, but they confuse which exact election came first. Because several States went to the polls that year, it is easy to mix them up. A robust way to avoid confusion is to memorise that Himachal Pradesh is specifically mentioned in exam literature as the first State where these comprehensive affidavits were enforced. Once you anchor the fact to Himachal Pradesh, the other options become easier to eliminate.

Final Answer:
The affidavit requirement including details of spouse and dependents was first enforced at the Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh in 2003.