STAR CAMPAIGNERS -
POLITY
News: What are the rules around star campaigners? | Explained
What's in the news?
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Sunita Kejriwal, wife of Delhi Chief Minister
Arvind Kejriwal, was appointed as a ‘star campaigner’ by the Aam Aadmi Party
(AAP) for its campaign in Gujarat.
Star Campaigner:
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A star campaigner is a celebrity vote seeker in an election for a party.
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Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act) provides for law relating to expenditure incurred by ‘leaders of a
political party’.
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These ‘leaders of a political party’ are popularly
known as ‘star campaigners’.
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These star campaigners are usually the top leaders
of a political party but can include other celebrities as well.
Requirement:
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The only requirement is that these persons have to
be members of the political party
that appoints them.
Numbers:
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The Representation of People Act, 1951 provides
that a recognised political party (national or State) can appoint a maximum of 40 star campaigners while a registered
unrecognised political party can appoint up to 20.
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These names are to be communicated to the Election
Commission (EC) and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the States as applicable within seven days from the date of
notification of such election.
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In case of a multi-phase election, a political
party can submit a separate list of star campaigners for different phases.
Cost:
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ECI has fixed ₹95
lakh expenses limit for candidates of bigger Lok Sabha constituencies and
up to ₹75 lakh for candidates of
smaller constituencies.
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Political parties cover all costs of star
campaigners under the RP Act. But the star campaigner’s expenses are not deducted from the candidate’s
expenditure.
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Thus it allows the candidates extra spending
opportunity beyond the poll panel’s ₹75 – ₹95 Lakh limit for Lok Sabha polls.
Other Key Takeaways:
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The above said benefits are applicable only if the star campaigners limit
themselves to general campaigning for
the party.
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If in any rally/meeting organised, the star
campaigner seeks votes in the name of contesting candidates or shares the dais
with them, then the rally/meeting expense shall be apportioned to the election
expenditure of such candidates.
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If the star campaigner incurs boarding/lodging
expenses while campaigning for any candidates, it shall be included in the
expenditure account of such candidates irrespective of whether it is paid for
by the candidates.
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Further, if any candidates travel with the star
campaigner, then 50% of the travel expenditure of the star campaigner shall
also be apportioned to such candidates.