24 Apr Star campaigners in elections
This article covers ‘Daily Current Affairs’ and the topic details of ”Star campaigners in elections”. This topic is relevant in the “Polity and Governance” section of the UPSC CSE exam.
Why in the News?
Sunita Kejriwal, spouse of Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, has been designated as a ‘star campaigner’ by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to lead its campaign efforts in Gujarat.
Key points about Star campaigning
Legal provisions
- The legal framework governing star campaigners is outlined in Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act). This section pertains to the expenditure incurred by individuals designated as “leaders of a political party,” commonly referred to as “star campaigners.”
- Typically, these star campaigners are prominent figures within a political party, although they may also include celebrities. The key requirement is that these individuals must be members of the political party that appoints them.
- As per the RP Act, a recognized political party, either nationally or at the state level, can designate a maximum of 40 star campaigners. Conversely, a registered but unrecognized party can nominate up to 20.
- The names of these star campaigners must be communicated to the Election Commission (EC) and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the respective states within seven days from the date of the election notification.
- In the case of multi-phase elections, political parties have the option to submit separate lists of star campaigners for each phase.
- When the Prime Minister or a former Prime Minister acts as a star campaigner, according to the MCC guidelines, the government covers the expenses for security, including those for bullet-proof vehicles. These expenses are not added to the election expenses of the party or the individual candidate. However, if another campaigner accompanies the Prime Minister, the individual candidate is responsible for bearing 50% of the expenditure on security arrangements.
Rules regarding exemptions for the star campaigners
- According to the RP Act, expenses related to travel by air or any other mode of transportation incurred by the ‘leaders of a political party’ for campaigning on behalf of their party are not considered part of the election expenditure of candidates from that party.
- In larger States, candidates’ election spending is capped at ₹95 lakh per Lok Sabha constituency, while in smaller States, it’s ₹75 lakh. Therefore, these star campaigners can rally support for candidates fielded by their respective parties without impacting their expenditure limit.
- Conditions for Exemption:
- The exemption applies only if the star campaigners confine themselves to general campaigning for the party. However, if during any rally or meeting, the star campaigner solicits votes for the contesting candidate(s) or shares the platform with them, the expenses incurred for such events will be counted towards the election expenditure of those candidate(s).
- Additionally, if the star campaigner bears boarding and lodging expenses while campaigning for any candidate(s), these costs will be included in the expenditure record of such candidate(s), regardless of whether they are paid by the candidate(s).
- Moreover, if any candidate(s) accompany the star campaigner during travel, then 50% of the travel expenses of the star campaigner will also be attributed to those candidate(s).
Concerns related to star campaigners
- Influence Peddling: Star campaigners, often prominent figures in politics or celebrities, may wield significant influence over voters. There’s a concern that their involvement could sway voter opinions unduly, potentially undermining the democratic principle of free and fair elections.
- Polarisation: Star campaigners often represent specific political parties or ideologies, contributing to partisan polarisation. Their involvement may exacerbate divisions within society, making it harder to foster consensus and cooperation across party lines.
- Disproportionate Resources: Star campaigners often have access to considerable resources, including funding, media coverage, and logistical support. This could create an uneven playing field, where candidates with star campaigners enjoy advantages over others, raising concerns about fairness and equality in elections.
- Expenditures Regulations: The involvement of star campaigners can complicate expenditure regulations. Expenses incurred by star campaigners, such as travel, security, and event arrangements, may not always be properly accounted for or attributed to individual candidates, potentially leading to violations of election finance laws.
- Misusing Official Position: If star campaigners hold public office or government positions, there’s a risk of them using their official authority or resources for campaign purposes. This could blur the lines between government work and political campaigning, eroding public trust in institutions and violating ethical standards.
- Diversion from real Issues: The focus on star campaigners and their personalities may divert attention from substantive issues and policy debates during election campaigns. Instead of discussing relevant issues, campaigns might become centred around personalities and celebrity endorsements, detracting from the democratic process’s purpose of informed decision-making.
Way forward
- Reforms in Legal Framework: Review and update the legal framework governing star campaigners to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in their appointment and functioning. This may involve amendments to the Representation of the People Act of 1951 to address loopholes and ambiguities.
- Enhanced Oversight: Strengthen oversight mechanisms to monitor the activities and expenditures of star campaigners. The Election Commission should enforce regulations strictly, ensuring that expenses are properly accounted for and attributed to the respective candidates or parties.
- Ethical Guidelines: Develop and enforce ethical guidelines for star campaigners to prevent the misuse of official positions, influence peddling, and diversion from substantive issues. Star campaigners should be encouraged to focus on policy debates rather than personality-centric narratives.
- Collaboration and Dialogue: Foster collaboration and dialogue among political parties to mitigate concerns related to partisan polarisation. Parties should prioritise consensus-building and cooperation across party lines, enhancing the inclusivity and integrity of the democratic process.
Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 24th April 2024
Prelims practise revolution
Q1. Consider the following statements:
- Star campaigners must be affiliated with the political party that selects them.
- For any given election, a recognised political party has the authority to designate up to 40 star campaigners.
- The costs associated with the travel of star campaigners during campaigning are considered part of the election expenses of the candidate they are endorsing.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: A
Mains practise question
Q1. Analyse the implications of star campaigners using their celebrity status to sway public opinion during elections from an ethical standpoint.
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