Context:
Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has been appointed as a ‘star campaigner’ by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for its campaign in Gujarat.
Relevance:
GS II: Polity and Governance
Dimensions of the Article:
- Legal Provisions for Star Campaigners
- Benefits for Star Campaigners
- Concerns Regarding Campaigning by Star Campaigners
- Measures to Maintain Decorum and Restraint in Campaigning
Legal Provisions for Star Campaigners
Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act 1951 (RP Act)
- Governs the expenditure incurred by ‘leaders of a political party’.
- These leaders are commonly referred to as ‘star campaigners’.
Definition and Eligibility
- Star campaigners are typically the top leaders of a political party.
- Can also include other celebrities.
- Requirement: They must be members of the appointing political party.
Appointment Limit
- Recognised political party (national or State): Up to 40 star campaigners.
- Registered unrecognised political party: Up to 20 star campaigners.
Notification Process
- Names to be sent to the Election Commission (EC) and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) within seven days from the election notification date.
Multi-phase Election Provision
- Parties can submit separate lists of star campaigners for different election phases.
Benefits for Star Campaigners
Expenditure Exclusion
- Expenditure by star campaigners on travel for party campaigning is not counted as part of a candidate’s election expenditure.
Election expenditure limit:
- ₹95 lakh per Lok Sabha constituency in larger States.
- ₹75 lakh in smaller States.
- Star campaigners act as vote-fetchers without affecting candidate’s expenditure limit.
General Campaigning Clause
- Applies when star campaigners limit their role to general party campaigning.
- If they seek votes for specific candidates or share the stage with them:
- Rally/meeting expenses are included in the candidate’s election expenditure.
Boarding and Lodging Expenses
- Incurred by star campaigners for any candidate are part of the candidate’s expenditure account, regardless of who pays.
Travel Expenditure
- If candidates travel with the star campaigner:
- 50% of the star campaigner’s travel expenses are allocated to the candidate(s).
Concerns Regarding Campaigning by Star Campaigners
Inappropriate and Abusive Language
- Star campaigners from various parties have used inappropriate and abusive language against leaders of opposing parties.
- They have appealed to caste/communal feelings and made unsubstantiated allegations.
Understated Expenditure
- Actual expenditure for rallies/meetings of star campaigners is often reported significantly lower than the real costs.
- Possible reasons:
- EC’s rate card doesn’t reflect current market rates.
- Results in lower allocation of expenses to contesting candidates.
Measures to Maintain Decorum and Restraint in Campaigning
Empowerment of the Election Commission (EC)
- Current Provision
- RP Act allows political parties to appoint or revoke the appointment of star campaigners.
Proposed Change
- Amend the law to allow the EC to revoke the ‘star campaigner’ status of a leader for serious violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
- Article 324 of the Constitution designates the EC as the supreme authority for the superintendence and control of elections.
- Aim: Instill a sense of responsibility among star campaigners and ensure campaigns adhere to necessary decorum and restraint.
Robust Assessment of Expenditure
- Strengthen the assessment and allocation of rally/meeting expenses for campaigns involving star campaigners.
- Ensure accurate reflection of the actual costs incurred.
-Source: The Hindu
