Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released the list of star campaigners for Delhi Assembly elections. It includes 40 names, including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit ShahThere are names of stalwarts like JP Nadda, Rajnath Singh. Apart from this, the party has also made 6 film stars as star campaigners, which include the names of Nirahua, Hema Malini, Ravi Kishan, Hansraj Hans.
Now the question is, how many star campaigns can the parties field in an assembly election? And who bears the expenses of these star campaigners? What is the rule of the Election Commission regarding this? In this article we will know all thisโฆ
Who is a star campaigner?
According to the rules of the Election Commission, in any election a party or candidate can field star campaigners to campaign for them. Usually, the list of star campaigners is decided by the parties on the basis of popularity. It is the parties that decide the schedule of these campaigners as to when they will go to which assembly constituency and campaign for the party and candidate. Many times star campaigners are sent to the area on the demand of the public and the candidates. There is no clear definition of who will be the star campaigner. These could be big party leaders or Bollywood celebrities.
Who bears the expenses of the campaigners?
The Election Commission has set rules for this. Fifty percent of the expenditure on any star campaigner is added to the election expenses of the candidate in whose constituency he goes to campaign. At the same time, 50 percent of the expenses are borne by the parties. The basic expenses ranging from vehicles, helicopters, flower garlands and food used for star campaigners are borne by the candidate. However, if more than one candidate participates in an election rally or road show of a star campaigner, then the total expenditure is equally added to the expenditure of all the candidates.
How many candidates can parties field?
The Election Commission had changed these rules at the time of Corona. Earlier, recognized national and state level parties could field a maximum of 40 star campaigners. Whereas those parties which are registered but not recognized could field a maximum of 20 star campaigners. During the time of Corona, the number of star campaigners was reduced to 30. However, later their number was again increased to 40.
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