NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES

Multiplicity of candidates at elections measures to reduce (dt.07.09.1994).

Election Commission's Letter No.3/ER/ESO11/94/JSII Dated : 7th Sept., 1994, addressed to (1) The Chief Secretaries to Govts. of all states and Union Territories and (2) The Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union Territories.
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Subject:- Multiplicity of candidates at elections-measures to reduce - regarding.

I am directed to invite a reference to the Commission's letter No.3/ER/94-J.S.II dated 27.04.1994. (Copy enclosed for ready reference) containing the Commission's directions aiming to put a check as far as possible on the practice of dummy candidates.

2. The Commission has reasonable cause to apprehend that in the ensuing general elections to the Legislative Assemblies of the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa and Sikkim and the bye-elections due to be held shortly, some of the political parties and candidates may again resort to the undesirable practice of putting up dummy candidates with the object of procuring in their favour additional facilities and manpower in the name of such dummy candidates.

3. In the interests of free and fair elections, it is essential that this undesirable practice is curbed to the maximum extent possible so that the electoral process is not reduced to a farcical exercise and the electorate exercises its right of franchise in a free and fair manner.

4. The Commission believes that if the measures which have been directed by the Commission to be taken in para 9 of its above-mentioned letter dated 27-04-1994 are given wide publicity at this stage and it is made unequivocally clear to the political parties and the intending candidates that the said directions will be strictly enforced, this will have the desired effect of dissuading the political parties and candidates from putting up dummy candidates.

5. Needless to say, the Commission will firmly and strictly enforce its above-mentioned directions. Apart from the action which may be deemed appropriate against the political parties and candidates violating the above directions of the Commission, any non-compliance of these directions by the Returning Officers and other officers responsible for the implementation of these directions, including the Police authorities, with render themselves liable to severe disciplinary action besides any penal action which may be called for against them for breach of their duty.

6. The Commission directs that a copy of its present letter together with a copy of its earlier letter dated 27.04.1994 in English/Hindi and its translation in local regional language(s) should be given immediately to local units of all recognised National and State parties, and copies thereof should also be given to each candidate at the time of filing his nomination (repeat at the time of the filing of nominations and not scrutiny of nominations).

7. The above-mentioned directions should also be given widest possible publicity through all media of mass communication.

8. The receipt of this letter should be acknowledged immediately.



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