Star Campaigner

Published: 25th Apr, 2024

Context

In the wake of Lok Sabha Elections, political parties have started releasing the names of ‘star campaigners’.

A star campaigner is a celebrity vote seeker in an election for a party.
Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act) provides for law relating to expenditure incurred by ‘leaders of a political party’. These ‘leaders of a political party’ are popularly known as ‘star campaigners’.
These star campaigners are usually the top leaders of a political party but can include other celebrities as well.
Requirement: The only requirement is that these persons have to be members of the political party that appoints them.
Numbers: The RP Act provides that a recognised political party (national or State) can appoint a maximum of 40 star campaigners while a registered unrecognised political party can appoint up to 20.
The list has to be sent to the Election Commission of India.
Cost: ECI has fixed Rs 95 lakh expenseslimit for candidates of bigger Lok Sabha constituencies and up to Rs 75 lakh for candidates of smaller constituencies.
- Political parties cover all costs of star campaigners under the RP Act. But the star campaigner’s expenses are not deducted from the candidate’s expenditure.
- Thus it allows the candidates extra spending opportunity beyond the poll panel’s Rs 75 – Rs 95 Lakh limit for Lok Sabha polls.

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