Indian Polity : Political Parties

Q 4 / 4

UPSC CSE Prelims 1999

Consider the following statements about the recent amendments to the elections law by the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 1996:

  1. Any conviction for the offence of-insulting the Indian National flag or the Constitution of Indian shall entail disqualification for contesting elections to Parliament and State Legislatures for six years from the date of conviction
  2. There is an increase in the security deposit which a candidate has to make to contest the election to the Lok Sabha
  3. A candidate cannot now stand for election from more than one Parliament Constituency
  4. No election will now be countermanded on the death of a contesting candidate

Which of the above statements are correct?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (b):

Statement 1 is correct. The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1996, introduced a provision for disqualification for a period of six years from the date of conviction for offences such as insulting the Indian National Flag or the Constitution of India.

Statement 2 is correct. The 1996 amendment increased the security deposit required for candidates contesting elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. This measure aimed to deter non-serious candidates.

Statement 4 is correct. The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1996, abolished the provision for countermanding an election upon the death of a contesting candidate. This change aimed to prevent unnecessary delays in the electoral process.

Incorrect Options:

Statement 3 is incorrect. The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1996, did not restrict a candidate to contesting from only one parliamentary constituency. Instead, it limited a candidate to contesting from a maximum of two parliamentary constituencies. Therefore, options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect as they include Statement 3 as a correct provision.

SOURCEIndian Polity by M. Laxmikanth, Chapter 43: Election Commission