StrivefyCurrent Affairs
PolityGS-II· 1 min read

Electoral Reforms: Candidacy from Multiple Constituencies

Why in news?

The Madras High Court highlighted that the Election Commission of India's (ECI) 2004 recommendation to restrict candidates from contesting from more than one constituency has not yet been implemented.

Key points

  1. ECI proposed in 2004 that candidates should not contest from more than one constituency.
  2. The law allowing candidates to contest from two constituencies remains unamended.
  3. The ECI also suggested that if dual constituency candidacy is permitted, candidates should bear bye-election costs if they vacate one seat.
  4. The High Court noted this pending reform.

Background & context

Currently, Indian law allows a candidate to contest elections from multiple constituencies. If a candidate wins from more than one, they must vacate one seat within a specified period, leading to a bye-election.

★ Prelims fact capsule

The ECI's recommendation for restricting candidacy from multiple constituencies dates back to 2004.

✎ Mains relevance

GS Paper 2: Governance, Legislature (Electoral process, Electoral reforms, Role of ECI).