RTI Activist Files Complaint Over Star Campaigner Violations in Gujarat Local Body Elections
In a significant development concerning electoral fairness, a Right to Information (RTI) activist from Gandhinagar has formally approached the State Election Commission (SEC) with allegations that major political parties have breached established guidelines regarding star campaigners for the upcoming local body elections.
Allegations of Exceeding Permitted Limits
The activist, Santoshsinh Rathod, has specifically pointed out that both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress have submitted lists containing a higher number of star campaigners than what is permitted under SEC regulations. According to the official guidelines set by the commission, national political parties are allowed to nominate a maximum of 20 star campaigners for local body elections.
"The Congress has submitted a list of 40 star campaigners, which is exactly double the permitted number," Rathod stated in his complaint. "Meanwhile, the BJP has taken a different approach by submitting four separate lists, each containing 20 names, for different regions. However, six names appear common across all these lists, effectively giving them an advantage."
Details of the Submissions and the Call for Action
Rathod provided a detailed breakdown of the submissions made to the State Election Commission. The BJP's strategy of submitting multiple regional lists, while technically within a per-list limit, raises questions about the overall intent to circumvent the spirit of the 20-campaigner rule. In contrast, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) adhered strictly to the guidelines by submitting a list of exactly 20 star campaigners.
"I have requested the SEC to take appropriate action in this matter to ensure a level playing field," the activist emphasized. "It is crucial that all political parties are assured an equal opportunity during the election process, and adherence to campaigner limits is a fundamental part of that fairness."
Implications for Electoral Integrity
This complaint highlights ongoing concerns about compliance with election codes and the potential for larger parties to leverage their resources in ways that may disadvantage smaller competitors. The State Election Commission now faces the task of investigating these allegations and determining whether the submissions by the BJP and Congress constitute a violation of their guidelines.
The outcome of this case could set an important precedent for how star campaigner lists are managed in future local body elections across Gujarat, reinforcing the need for transparency and strict adherence to electoral norms to uphold democratic principles.
