Politicians Can Contest Elections From Two Seats! How’s This Possible?

Hi I am an aspiring lawyer, who loves to write…

Politicians can contest elections from two seats but–

“Didi, mahra-tumhara vote ek aur ek, par neta laade do-do jagah se, fir chord de seat ek! Naa-insafi si laag ri ye toh…”

“One person, one vote” is the declaration of the greatest democracy in the world: India. Besides its vastness and staggering plurality, Indian democracy, unlike many other democracies that have for decades or centuries denied voting rights by certain groups of their people, started its journeys with the element of universal right to vote for all its people, regardless of their caste, faith and belief or fortune.

But what if one’s vote is ignored and wasted…?

Politicians Can Contest Elections From Two Seats: What Does It Mean?

When a politician can contest elections from two seats (in two different states/areas), and say, wins both, s/he can choose one seat while leaving the other.
A candidate winning two seats must release one of the seats within ten days of a by-election.

via economictimes

Thus, a voter’s choice is disregarded, and elections have to be reconducted for that empty seat!
Politicians can contest elections from two seats (from two different political districts) as per the Representation of People’s Act, Section 33, 1951.

via economictimes

In fact, an amendment in this act in 1996 removed the limit of only 2 seats per candidate. Thus, in the past, some politicians have contested from 3 or 4 political districts as well!
If you are thinking, “Why do politicians do so?” Well, if you can see a bit deeper with awareness, you’ll know that this is done by them for gaining more options/chances to win, more acceptance (of his/her relevancy) in the party, and more popularity.

via dnaindia

The Strange Practise Of Candidates From Two Political Districts

Electoral reforms are still required at certain places when it comes to elections in India. This is necessary to make our elections more effective, in line with modern society.
When it comes to “politicians can contest elections from two seats,” one could immediately sense that this is one of those regions which require attention.
Five years ago, an example of this practice was seen when Prime Minister Narendra Modi won both the Vadodara and Varanasi polls.

via economictimes

Okay, So Politicians Can Contest Elections From Two Seats. But, Is It An Issue?

The problem with this system is that it is illogical! No candidate (if he wins) can stand at a single moment in both the House of Representatives or the State Assembly.

Nonetheless, The Representation Of People’s Act has mentioned, politicians can contest elections from two seats (or in two constituencies). In fact, we must reframe it as: “from more than one seat!”

via newindianexpress

Where a representative contests from two chairs and won each of those chairs, one of the chairs has to be and gets free.
This leads to a by-election in the other constituency. The process seems unfair and misleading (as the leader s/he voted has chosen the other seat) to the voters.
The aspect of voting exhaustion then also comes into debate and discussion.

via dnaindia

The assertion that was an Indian-democratic founding rule “One person, one vote.”It may be time for this idea to be modified and extended into “one vote, one candidate, one constituency.”

Blog Edited By Ritika Gupta

For more “Law” related blogs click here