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<div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998March%2Fconfining-the-choice-1_083112014523.jpg" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img><p>The sharp fall in the number of candidates in this election was not a surprise for poll watchers. This development has nothing to do with the alleged election fatigue or popular apathy to the election process. Since 1952, when the first general election was held, the number of candidates for each constituency has risen with every election.</p><p>After the Congress dominance came to an end in 1977 and there was greater room for competitiveness, the average jumped. From 3.8 candidates per constituency in 1952, the figure rose to 4.5 in 1977. It touched double digits in 1984 and soon grew to reach an average of over 25 per Lok Sabha constituency by 1996. </p><p>From that high, there has been a sharp fall this time. Compared to the 20,498 candidates who contested last time, the decrease in the number of candidates in this election is telling indeed. The total number of contestants has declined to 4,693, less than a quarter of the last election. In terms of averages, the number of candidates for each constituency has fallen from 25.7 to 8.6.</p><p>One reason for the sharp drop is the amendment to the Representation of the Peoples' Act in 1996. Hands were raised in horror at the situation then when in some constituencies ballot papers were approaching the size of bed-sheets. The laws were subsequently changed, the motive being to reduce the number of so-called "frivolous" candidates. </p><p>The deposit that each candidate had to make was hiked 20-fold, from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000. In reserved constituencies, it was increased from Rs 250 to Rs 5,000. Any candidate who fails to get more than one-sixth of the total number of votes polled forfeits the deposit. There were other changes too which may have had a marginal influence. </p><div class="itemcenter"><amp-iframe height="62" title="" width="320" sandbox="allow-forms allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-top-navigation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation" allowfullscreen src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Findiatoday%2Fbanner%2Fpreferred-source-new.html%3Fv%3D1.014%5Cu0026native%3D1" class="mrBt15 preferred-source-banner"> </amp-iframe></div><div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1994January%2F3_2_1998-confining%2520the%2520choice%25202%2520small_112612045709.jpg" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img><div class="clicktoenlarge"><a href="#" target="_blank" rel="dofollow">Click here to Enlarge</a></div></div></p><p>The number of proposers for an Independent candidate was increased from one to 10 and no candidate was allowed to contest from more than two seats in the same election. Also, all candidates were to file affidavits, stating categorically that they had not been convicted on criminal charges.</p><p>The measures have primarily affected the Independent candidates. Between the last general election and this one, the average number of party-sponsored candidates has come down only marginally, from six to five. But the fall has been more sharp as far as Independent candidates are concerned: from nearly 20 from each constituency to less than four. While Independents constituted 77 per cent of the candidates in 1996, they account for only 40 per cent this time. </p><p>The introduction of more paperwork and legalities at the stage of filing nominations has had another little noticed effect. The proportion of nomination papers rejected by the Election Commission has taken a big jump, from 5 per cent in the last election to 13 per cent this time.</p><p>The changes seem to have had a uniform effect all over the country. Besides, the number of women candidates has fallen from nearly one candidate per constituency to less than half now. Looked at differently, the proportion of women among all the candidates has registered an increase. Too much should not be read into these figures for they only reflect a general tendency. </p><p>The number of women candidates has fallen because the general number of candidates has decreased. The proportion of women has increased simply because the proportion of party candidates has increased and more women are party candidates. </p><p>The statewise break-up does not show any great variation, except that the states with settled bipolar competition tend to have a lower number of candidates. Fierce competition in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana has encouraged a larger number of candidates to enter the electoral fray.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1994January%2F3_2_1998-confining%2520the%2520choice%25201%2520small_112612045709.jpg" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img><div class="clicktoenlarge"><a href="#" target="_blank" rel="dofollow">Click here to Enlarge</a></div></div></p><p>All in all, the campaign against the "menace of frivolous candidates" seems to have succeeded. The media seems happy and bureaucrats and election officials heaved a sigh of relief. In this moment of general satisfaction, it seems criminal to ask a simple question. What exactly was wrong with having a large number of Independent candidates standing for polls with little chances of success?</p><p>Do they deserve to be banished from the electoral circus? Some certainly did. A number of candidates are clearly stooges of one of the major parties, whose role is to use the privileges of candidacy to help another by giving additional agents access to polling booths or get passes for vehicles during the election.</p><p>Apart from these "dummy" candidates, the main objection to the presence of large numbers of Independent candidates is that they clutter up the electoral process. Only nine Independent candidates were elected in 1996, and 98 per cent lost their deposits. </p><p>Most of them knew they had no chance of winning. Some stood just to seek publicity, while others did so to highlight a particular cause or social group. There were still others who were there only to try and split the vote of a party or to protest against the presence of another candidate.</p><p>Instead of taking a large number of candidates to be a problem, seen from a different perspective, a large number of candidates is an indicator of a healthy political system. An increase in the number of Independent candidates is a result of the broadening and maturing of the electorate, as groups such as tribals and Dalits began to be more active participants in the political process in the post-Emergency period.</p><p>More than two crore voters in the 1996 general election turned their backs on established political parties and voted for Independent candidates. Any attempt to restrict political activity to the national and state parties may exclude a large number of people from the legitimate political process.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><amp-img src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998March%2Fconfining-the-choice-s_083112014555.jpg" alt="" height="425" width="650" class="" layout="responsive"></amp-img><div class="clicktoenlarge"><a href="#" target="_blank" rel="dofollow">Click here to Enlarge</a></div></div></p><p>Restricting the choice in elections to the official candidates of political parties is another step towards the reservation of high politics to a small and self-perpetuating elite.</p><p>Independent candidates can, in their own small way, offer an alternative and a challenge to the established parties. A large number of Independent candidates serve the crucial function of bringing to light issues or sections of society ignored by the mainstream political process. Even if their role is limited to filing the nomination and then withdrawing, or contesting and then "retiring" midway through the campaign, they have done a job.</p><p>Finally, unrestricted opportunity to contest is a virtue in itself, even if it serves no purpose. The legitimacy of a democratic polity hinges, in some measure, on the belief that channels of representation are open to everyone. That a large number of people take advantage of this opportunity and enter the electoral fray should be seen as a source of strength for Indian democracy. The move to restrict the candidates in polls to "serious" contenders is a threat to the diversity of Indian democracy.</p><div id="tab-link-wrapper-plugin"><div class="authors__container"><div class="authors__by"><div class="authlable">Published By: </div><div class="authdetaisl">AtMigration </div></div><div class="published__on"><div class="authlable">Published On: </div><div class="authdetaisl">Mar 2, 1998</div></div></div><div class="sendros">--- ENDS ---</div></div></div>

nation

Nation

<div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998March%2Fconfining-the-choice-1_083112014523.jpg" loading="lazy" /></div><p>The sharp fall in the number of candidates in this election was not a surprise for poll watchers. This development has nothing to do with the alleged election fatigue or popular apathy to the election process. Since 1952, when the first general election was held, the number of candidates for each constituency has risen with every election.</p><p>After the Congress dominance came to an end in 1977 and there was greater room for competitiveness, the average jumped. From 3.8 candidates per constituency in 1952, the figure rose to 4.5 in 1977. It touched double digits in 1984 and soon grew to reach an average of over 25 per Lok Sabha constituency by 1996. </p><p>From that high, there has been a sharp fall this time. Compared to the 20,498 candidates who contested last time, the decrease in the number of candidates in this election is telling indeed. The total number of contestants has declined to 4,693, less than a quarter of the last election. In terms of averages, the number of candidates for each constituency has fallen from 25.7 to 8.6.</p><p>One reason for the sharp drop is the amendment to the Representation of the Peoples' Act in 1996. Hands were raised in horror at the situation then when in some constituencies ballot papers were approaching the size of bed-sheets. The laws were subsequently changed, the motive being to reduce the number of so-called "frivolous" candidates. </p><p>The deposit that each candidate had to make was hiked 20-fold, from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000. In reserved constituencies, it was increased from Rs 250 to Rs 5,000. Any candidate who fails to get more than one-sixth of the total number of votes polled forfeits the deposit. There were other changes too which may have had a marginal influence. </p><div class="itemcenter"><iframe scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="62" awidth="320" aheight="62" amplayout="fixed" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Findiatoday%2Fbanner%2Fpreferred-source-new.html%3Fv%3D1.014" class="preferred-source-banner" loading="lazy"></iframe></div><style>.preferred-source-banner{  margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}</style><div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1994January%2F3_2_1998-confining%2520the%2520choice%25202%2520small_112612045709.jpg" loading="lazy" /></div><div class="clicktoenlarge" style="width:200px;margin-right:15px text-align:center" valign="bottom"><a href="#" onclick="javascript:window.open('https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1994January%2F3_2_1998-confining the choice 2 large_112612045709.jpg','window','status=no,resize=no,toolbar=no,scrollbars=no,width=800,height=419'); return false;" rel="dofollow">Click here to Enlarge</a></div></div></p><p>The number of proposers for an Independent candidate was increased from one to 10 and no candidate was allowed to contest from more than two seats in the same election. Also, all candidates were to file affidavits, stating categorically that they had not been convicted on criminal charges.</p><p>The measures have primarily affected the Independent candidates. Between the last general election and this one, the average number of party-sponsored candidates has come down only marginally, from six to five. But the fall has been more sharp as far as Independent candidates are concerned: from nearly 20 from each constituency to less than four. While Independents constituted 77 per cent of the candidates in 1996, they account for only 40 per cent this time. </p><p>The introduction of more paperwork and legalities at the stage of filing nominations has had another little noticed effect. The proportion of nomination papers rejected by the Election Commission has taken a big jump, from 5 per cent in the last election to 13 per cent this time.</p><p>The changes seem to have had a uniform effect all over the country. Besides, the number of women candidates has fallen from nearly one candidate per constituency to less than half now. Looked at differently, the proportion of women among all the candidates has registered an increase. Too much should not be read into these figures for they only reflect a general tendency. </p><p>The number of women candidates has fallen because the general number of candidates has decreased. The proportion of women has increased simply because the proportion of party candidates has increased and more women are party candidates. </p><p>The statewise break-up does not show any great variation, except that the states with settled bipolar competition tend to have a lower number of candidates. Fierce competition in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana has encouraged a larger number of candidates to enter the electoral fray.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1994January%2F3_2_1998-confining%2520the%2520choice%25201%2520small_112612045709.jpg" loading="lazy" /></div><div class="clicktoenlarge" style="width:200px;margin-right:15px text-align:center" valign="bottom"><a href="#" onclick="javascript:window.open('https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1994January%2F3_2_1998-confining the choice 1 large_112612045709.jpg','window','status=no,resize=no,toolbar=no,scrollbars=no,width=800,height=413'); return false;" rel="dofollow">Click here to Enlarge</a></div></div></p><p>All in all, the campaign against the "menace of frivolous candidates" seems to have succeeded. The media seems happy and bureaucrats and election officials heaved a sigh of relief. In this moment of general satisfaction, it seems criminal to ask a simple question. What exactly was wrong with having a large number of Independent candidates standing for polls with little chances of success?</p><p>Do they deserve to be banished from the electoral circus? Some certainly did. A number of candidates are clearly stooges of one of the major parties, whose role is to use the privileges of candidacy to help another by giving additional agents access to polling booths or get passes for vehicles during the election.</p><p>Apart from these "dummy" candidates, the main objection to the presence of large numbers of Independent candidates is that they clutter up the electoral process. Only nine Independent candidates were elected in 1996, and 98 per cent lost their deposits. </p><p>Most of them knew they had no chance of winning. Some stood just to seek publicity, while others did so to highlight a particular cause or social group. There were still others who were there only to try and split the vote of a party or to protest against the presence of another candidate.</p><p>Instead of taking a large number of candidates to be a problem, seen from a different perspective, a large number of candidates is an indicator of a healthy political system. An increase in the number of Independent candidates is a result of the broadening and maturing of the electorate, as groups such as tribals and Dalits began to be more active participants in the political process in the post-Emergency period.</p><p>More than two crore voters in the 1996 general election turned their backs on established political parties and voted for Independent candidates. Any attempt to restrict political activity to the national and state parties may exclude a large number of people from the legitimate political process.</p><div class="itg-mosimage"><div class="itgimage"><img  title=""  class="" alt="" src="https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998March%2Fconfining-the-choice-s_083112014555.jpg" loading="lazy" /></div><div class="clicktoenlarge" style="width:153px;margin-right:15px text-align:center" valign="bottom"><a href="#" onclick="javascript:window.open('https://ancillary-proxy.atarimworker.dev?url=https%3A%2F%2Fakm-img-a-in.tosshub.com%2Fsites%2Fmedia2%2Findiatoday%2Fimages%2Fstories%2F1998March%2Fconfining-the-choice-l_083112014555.jpg','window','status=no,resize=no,toolbar=no,scrollbars=no,width=300,height=413'); return false;" rel="dofollow">Click here to Enlarge</a></div></div></p><p>Restricting the choice in elections to the official candidates of political parties is another step towards the reservation of high politics to a small and self-perpetuating elite.</p><p>Independent candidates can, in their own small way, offer an alternative and a challenge to the established parties. A large number of Independent candidates serve the crucial function of bringing to light issues or sections of society ignored by the mainstream political process. Even if their role is limited to filing the nomination and then withdrawing, or contesting and then "retiring" midway through the campaign, they have done a job.</p><p>Finally, unrestricted opportunity to contest is a virtue in itself, even if it serves no purpose. The legitimacy of a democratic polity hinges, in some measure, on the belief that channels of representation are open to everyone. That a large number of people take advantage of this opportunity and enter the electoral fray should be seen as a source of strength for Indian democracy. The move to restrict the candidates in polls to "serious" contenders is a threat to the diversity of Indian democracy.</p><div id="tab-link-wrapper-plugin"><div class="authors__container"><div class="authors__by"><div class="authlable">Published By: </div><div class="authdetaisl">AtMigration </div></div><div class="published__on"><div class="authlable">Published On: </div><div class="authdetaisl">Mar 2, 1998</div></div></div><div class="sendros">--- ENDS ---</div></div></div>

Is the decline in the number of candidates standing for the 1998 general election good news? Changes in the Representation of the Peoples' Act have resulted in a considerable reduction in the number of Independent candidates campaigning for seats in the Lok Sabha. Yogendra Yadav and Alistair Mcmillan challenge the conventional belief that the presence of "frivolous" candidates is cluttering up the electoral process.

India Today

Changes in the Representation of the Peoples' Act have resulted in a considerable reduction in the number of Independent candidates campaigning for seats in the Lok Sabha

Confining the choice - India Today

Amendments in Peoples' Act reduces number of Independent candidatures

Confining the choice

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Amendments in Peoples' Act reduces number of Independent candidatures

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