The Election Commission on Thursday rejected senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Lal Kishenchand Advani's demand that presidential candidates be asked to declare their assets, saying it was not empowered to deal with the issue.

The EC's decision came close the heels of the Supreme Court's rejection of a lawyer's plea challenging the nomination of United Progressive Alliance-Left candidate Pratibha Patil in connection with allegations against her over her role as head of a cooperative bank.

In his letter to the EC, the BJP veteran had demanded that presidential candidates be also asked to disclose the details of any cases pending against them.

EC sources said the commission has replied to Advani's letter saying that it was not under its purview to issue directions to presidential candidates to make such declarations.

"Even though the electoral process for the election for the President has already commenced, it is incumbent for the Election Commission even now to require all candidates to make necessary disclosures as are expected from the candidates seeking to enter legislative bodies," Advani had said in his letter to the EC.