Political Career for Indian Youth- Contesting for Elections-FAQ2

Political Career for Indian Youth - Contesting for Elections- FAQ

Q 11. How much was the security deposit for Lok Sabha election previously?

Ans. During the Lok Sabha elections held in 1996 and earlier, the security deposit for general and SC / ST candidate was Rs. 500/- (Rupees Five Hundred Only) and Rs. 250/- (Rupees Two Hundred and Fifty Only) respectively.

Q 12. How much was the security deposit for elections to Assembly election previously?

Ans. During Assembly elections held in 1996 and earlier, the security deposit for general and SC / ST candidates was Rs. 250/- (Rupees Two Hundred and Fifty Only) and Rs. 125/- (Rupees One Hundred Twenty Five Only) respectively.

Q 13. When was this change in the amount of security deposit made?

Ans. This change in increasing the security deposit was brought about in August, 1996 vide Act 21 of 1996.

Q 14. If you are a candidate of a recognised National or State party, how many proposers you require for your nomination?

Ans. Only one. If you are a candidate of a recognised national / state party, you would require only one elector of the constituency as proposer, vide Sec. 33 of R. P. Act, 1951.

Q 15. If you are an independent candidate or a candidate of unrecognised political party, how many proposers you require?

Ans. Ten. The same section 33 of R. P. Act, 1951 provides that as an independent candidate or a candidate of an unrecognised political party, ten electors from the constituency should subscribe your nomination paper as proposers.

Q 16. Can a person contest elections to Lok Sabha from as many constituencies as he likes?

Ans. No. As per Section 33 (7) of R. P. Act, 1951, a person cannot contest from more than two constituencies for a Lok Sabha election.

Q 17. Which candidates lose the deposit?

Ans. A defeated candidate who fails to secure more than one sixth of the valid votes polled in the constituency will lose his security deposit.

Q 18. What has been the maximum number of candidates in any constituency in India at any election so far?

Ans. In Modakurichi Assembly Constituency of Tamil Nadu there were 1033 contesting candidates during the general election to Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1996. The ballot papers were in the form of a booklet.

Q 19. The Election Commission has recognised some political parties as National parties and some others as State Parties. How many are National and how many are State parties ?

Ans. The Election Commission had recognized 6 Political Parties as National Parties and 36 Political Parties as State Parties in different States at the time of General Elections in 2004.

Q 20. On the day of poll, every voter has to go to a polling station to vote. Normally, how many voters are assigned to a polling station, under the norms of the Election Commission?

Ans. As per the instructions of Election Commission as contained in Para 2 of Chapter II of Handbook for Returning Officers, a polling station should be provided for a well defined polling area, normally covering about 800 - 1000 electors. However, in exceptional cases, such number may exceed 1000 to avoid the breakup of any polling area in large villages or urban area. When the number exceeds 1200, auxiliary polling stations should be set up. There is provision for setting up of polling stations in localities inhabited by the weaker section of the society, even though the number may be less than 500. If there is a Leprosy Sanatorium a separate polling station may be set up for the inmates alone. Recently the Commission has issued instructions for Rationalisation of Polling Stations in the country, and the limit of electors has been increased to 1500 per polling station, as Electronic Voting Machines are being used now.