Mumbai: Candidates at the elections to local self-government bodies in Maharashtra will now have to declare that they have a toilet at home and 'use it regularly'.

As a part of measures to put an end to open defecation, the State Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to promulgate ordinance making it mandatory for candidates contesting self government local body polls to declare that they have a toilet at home and use it regularly.

An official in the Chief Minister's office said the candidates will have to submit self-certification, or a certificate of competent authority in this regard.

The rule would be effective from the February's municipal corporation, Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls, the official said.