PM Modi filed nomination in Varanasi, PM left for airport

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has filed his nomination papers for the third time from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat on Tuesday. Four local citizens became proponents of PM Modi. These include the names of Pandit Ganeshwar Shastri, Baijnath Patel, Lalchand Kushwaha and Sanjay Sonkar. When PM Modi reached the Collectorate office to file nomination, Shastri was seen sitting next to him. In January, Ganeshwar Shastri had fixed a ‘Muhurat’ for the consecration of Lord Ram Lala’s life in Ayodhya.

Apart from this, the three other proposers, Baijnath Patel, belonging to the OBC (Other Backward Class) community, Lal Chandra Kushwaha and Sanjay Sonkar, belonging to the Dalit community, also reached the Collectorate to get the nomination of PM Modi. According to the Election Commission, a candidate contesting the election must have at least one proposer, who is a registered voter of that Assembly or Lok Sabha constituency and declares to support the nomination of the candidate. The nomination paper must have signatures of the candidate and the proposer.

Why is there a need for a proposer?

The role of the proposer is considered important in elections. Since, it is the proposer who proposes the name of a candidate before the Returning Officer. In the nomination papers, the proposers propose a candidate to contest the elections on their behalf. This is the reason why even though a candidate may be a resident of another parliamentary constituency, it is mandatory for the proposer to be a resident of the concerned Lok Sabha constituency. According to Section 4(C), 4(CC), 4(CCC) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, one can contest Lok Sabha elections from any seat in the country except Assam, Lakshadweep, Sikkim. To contest elections, a person must be registered as a voter. Section 4 (d) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 prohibits a person from contesting elections if he is not registered as a voter in any parliamentary seat in the country. There is a similar provision for assembly constituencies in Section 5 (c) of the Public Representation Act, 1951.

Are proponents required to be local?

The name of the proposer should be included in the voter list of the same Lok Sabha constituency. Otherwise he will not be considered a proposer and the nomination paper of the candidate may also be cancelled. If the number of proposers is less, the nomination paper will not be considered valid. Candidates of recognized national and state level political parties have to submit Form A and B signed in ink by the President of the party. Only five people including the candidate can go to the nomination site. This arrangement of proponents has been in place for a long time.

How many proposers are there?

Candidates of recognized national and political parties are required to have a proposer for their nomination. Section 33 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 states that if you are a candidate of a recognized national/state party, only one elector will be required as proposer for the constituency. Apart from this, if the candidate is from an independent or unrecognized political party, then the nomination papers should be signed by ten proposers from the concerned constituency.

What are the qualifications to contest elections?

The candidate has to open a bank account for election expenses one day before nomination. The age of the candidate contesting the election should not be less than 25 years. If a candidate files nomination from any other seat, he will have to give a certified copy of his name from the electoral roll (voter list) of his constituency to the Returning Officer. The bail amount for general category is Rs 25 thousand. It is Rs 12 thousand for Scheduled Caste and Tribe candidates. A candidate contesting elections can spend Rs 70 lakh. An affidavit related to no dues will also have to be provided. A candidate can file his nomination papers in four sets. The security amount will have to be deposited along with the first nomination form. For other nomination papers, the amount will be deposited through receipt-challan in the letter.

Is the number of proposers different for a VVIP candidate?

No. There are no separate rules regarding proposers for VVIP candidates. If a VVI is contesting from a national party, he will need only one proposer. If he is contesting as an independent candidate then he must have the support of 10 proposers. The Returning Officer briefly interrogates the candidate and the proposer. Takes information about them.

Why do returning officers remain sitting while taking nominations?

It is often seen that the Presiding Officer/Returning Officer remains sitting on his seat while taking the nomination papers. No matter how big a VVIP comes in front of him, he accepts documents from them while sitting on his chair. According to the rules, no politician or minister is given VIP treatment as soon as the code of conduct is implemented by the Election Commission. These are clear instructions of the Commission. That means the candidate is not given VVIP treatment.

Can a person sentenced for 3 years contest elections?

No. According to Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, if a person is found guilty of any crime and has been sentenced to 2 years or more, he will not be eligible to contest elections. He cannot contest elections. If he is an MP-MLA or a public representative, he will be disqualified.

If someone is on bail, case is pending, can he contest elections?

Any person who is on bail after conviction and pending disposal of his case will not be considered eligible.

Can a person contest elections from any number of seats?

No. According to Section 33(7) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a person cannot contest Lok Sabha/Assembly elections from more than two seats.

NDA demonstrated strength in Varanasi

When PM Modi came out after filing nomination papers at Varanasi Collectorate, he met several Union Ministers and leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP national president JP Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, LJP-Ram Vilas chief Chirag Paswan, Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Rashtriya Lok Morcha chief Upendra. Kushwaha was present. Before filing nomination, PM Modi worshiped river Ganga at Dashashwamedh Ghat. PM Modi also visited the Kaal Bhairav ​​temple of the city. PM Modi held a road show in Varanasi on Monday.

PM Modi contested elections for the first time from Varanasi in 2014. At that time he was also the PM face of BJP. After that the PM won in 2019 also. PM is contesting elections from Varanasi seat for the third consecutive time. Voting for Varanasi seat in the Lok Sabha elections will be held in the seventh and final phase on June 1. Results will come on 4th.