Bihar Elections: Parties to get fewer star campaigners

NEW DELHI: To manage Covid-19 risk during electioneering visits by ‘star campaigners’ in upcoming polls to Bihar assembly and other bypolls, the Election Commission on Wednesday reduced the ceiling on number of star campaigners to 30 from 40 for a recognised national or state party and to 15 from 20 for each unrecognised party. This modified limit will apply to all polls and bypolls to be held during the pandemic, EC added.
Political parties have been given extended time of 10 days from the date of notification, instead of 7 days, to submit their list of star campaigners.In case of parties that have already submitted the list, a modified list may be submitted within the specified period, said EC.
Seven days from the date of notification for the first phase of polling in Bihar, due on October 28, lapsed on Wednesday. The modified list can now be submitted till October 10.
Request for permission for electioneering by star campaigners will need to be submitted to the district election authorities at least 48 hours before start of campaign.
Star campaigners nominated by parties enjoy some concessions, with expenditure on their travel, particularly air travel, not being counted as part of the candidate’s expenditure.
Justifying its decision to restrict the number of star campaigners for all polls to be held during Covid times, EC said that it was taken after considering all facts and circumstances emerging due to the pandemic and to balance the same with the requirement of campaign by the political parties.
EC in its statement on Wednesday mentioned that clarifications were sought during its press conference in Bihar on October 1, about the potential health concerns during visits by star campaigners, especially huge crowd gathering during the landing of helicopters etc.
“The matter was further deliberated in the Commission today. With a view to ensuring the conduct of free, fair, peaceful, transparent, ethical and safe elections during Covid-19, Commission hereby revises the norms concerning star campaigners for all ongoing and future elections during the period of pandemic,” it stated.
The full Commission, which visited Bihar from September 29 to October 1 to review poll preparedness, had held consultations with all stakeholders including political parties, state administrative and police brass, chief electoral officer and district election officers.
It was informed that district authorities have completed the identification of locations for electoral campaign and are in the process of marking it for public gathering, keeping Covid safety norms in view, in each constituency.
Similar exercises have been carried out by election authorities in the constituencies wherever bye-elections are scheduled, the EC said on Wednesday.