Candidates have to pay deposit amount while filing nomination form for election. The deposit amount is fixed for each candidate contesting the election. If the candidate does not fulfill the conditions of the commission during the election, the deposit amount is forfeited.
Election Deposit
In the electoral majesty of democracy, many enter the election arena and face rival candidates. However, while entering this match, the candidate has to pay a deposit amount while filling the nomination form for the election. The deposit amount is fixed for each candidate (caste wise) contesting the election. If the candidate does not fulfill the conditions of the commission during the election, the deposit amount is forfeited.
🤔💡 #PollTrivia: Ever wonder what a security deposit is in elections? It’s the amount candidates pay to run for office.
But beware, it’s forfeited if they don’t secure enough votes! 🗳️💸 #LokSabhaElections2024 #Election #KnowYourVote #ElectionsWithMC pic.twitter.com/Wn1N8g6Y3j
— Moneycontrol (@moneycontrolcom) April 12, 2024
According to Article 84 (b) of the Constitution of India, any person above 25 years of age has the right to contest Lok Sabha elections. However, the person must be registered as a voter in any part of the country. A voter registered as a voter in Maharashtra can contest elections in any other state including Kerala. Also, a person who is registered as a voter in any other state of the country can contest elections from any constituency in the country.
Section 8 (3) of the Indian Representation of the People Act bars any person who has been sentenced to two years or more from contesting elections. If such a person applies for election, his candidature becomes ineligible. A person who has been convicted under the rules of the Election Commission cannot contest an election even if he has filed a petition challenging his conviction and pending its verdict. A person can contest from any two seats simultaneously in an election.
How much is the deposit?
According to the Representation of the People Act, every candidate has to submit a deposit of 25,000 Rs. Candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) are exempted from this. SC and ST candidates have to deposit a deposit of Rs.12 thousand 500. The same amount for contesting assembly elections is Rs 10 thousand for general candidates and Rs 5 thousand for SC-ST candidates.
Here is the amount of the security deposit for Lok Sabha Election.#LoktantraKaUtsav #Election2024 #GeneralElectionNow #Poll #VOTE pic.twitter.com/Prg91QSjyq
— DD News (@DDNewslive) March 21, 2024
Such deposit is forfeited
As per the rules of the Election Commission, if a candidate fails to secure 16.6 percent of the total valid votes polled in that seat, the deposit deposited while applying is forfeited. In the general elections of 1951-52, out of 1,874 candidates, as many as 745 candidates had their deposits forfeited. In the 1996 Lok Sabha elections, 91 percent of candidates’ deposits were confiscated.
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