Star Campaigners

2020 OCT 9

Preliminary   > Polity   >   Election   >   Elections

Why in news?

  • The Election Commission has restricted the number of star campaigners that political parties can deploy for the Bihar assembly elections, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • The maximum limit on the number of star campaigners for recognised national and state political parties shall be 30 in place of 40 and for unrecognised registered political parties it shall be 15 in place of 20 during the period of pandemic.

Who are Star campaigners?

  • While there are no specific definitions according to law or the Election Commission of India, a star campaigner can be described as persons who are nominated by parties to campaign in a given set of constituencies.
  • These persons are, in almost all cases, prominent and popular faces within the party.
  • Star campaigners of a party will not exceed 40 where it is a recognised political party.
  • For parties that are deemed unrecognised, the number of star campaigners will not be more than 20.

Why is the designation important?

  • With a candidate's expenditure limit for all states being set at Rs 70 lakh and for Arunachal Pradesh, Goa and Sikkim, Rs 54 lakh, Section 77 (b) of The Representation of People's Act, 1951 says that most of the expenses incurred by the campaigner "shall not be deemed to be expenditure in connection with the election".
  • In other words, expenses of star campaigners will be borne by the respective political party and will not be added to the expenses of candidates.
  • This allows recognised parties to employ their biggest leaders in campaigns without being disadvantaged by the huge costs they incur due to logistical and security costs. (For eg : Air Travel expenses when leaders are brought in from places like Delhi)
  • However, if a star campaigner is present with the candidate on stage while campaigning, then half the expenditure of the event will go to the candidate's account.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding Star Campaigners:
1.They are defined in the representation of peoples act.
2.The designation is available only to nationally recognised political parties.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to Prelims Question
 

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