Contexts:
- Nomination process for first phase of Lok Sabha polls 2024 began.
- Election Commission has exempted certain emergency works under CMRF from the ambit of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Nomination Process:
- Filed under – Section 33 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- Date for filing of nomination is fixed by – Election Commission of India
- Nomination paper can be delivered by – Candidate or any of his / her proposer
- Only an elector in the constituency in which the candidate contests the election, can be proposers.
- Delivered to – Returning Officer (RO) or Assistant RO.
- Nomination paper cannot be filed on holiday.
- Number of Proposers –
- Recognised political party – Only 1 proposer is needed
- Registered unrecognised political party or Independent candidates – 10 proposers needed
Chief Ministers Relief Fund (CMRF):
- Objective – To provide relief for the distressed people affected by major natural calamities, accidents etc.
- Finance – Primarily operate with donations from public and private institutions, voluntary organisations etc.
- Tax exemptions – Donations to CMRF are 100% exempted from Income Tax
Other Exempted Areas from the ambit of MCC:
- Ongoing social security pensions such as old-age pension, widow pension and disabled pension could be continued during the code.
- Political leaders could also participate in national days like Harmony Day, Gandhi Jayanti and others.
- Works related to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) could be continued
- Bills pertaining to completed works could be released from the public exchequer.
- However,government could not release funds for the works which were yet to commence, despite contracts being awarded.
Related Article: Model Code of Conduct
Source:
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a state for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that state.
2. According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is not correct. According to RPA 1951, a person convicted of certain offences specified and sentenced for imprisonment for not less than two years will be disqualified to contest the election from the date of the conviction and will continue to be disqualified for further six years even after the release.
