Election Deposit Rule in India

According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a candidate requires to deposit a certain sum of money as security to contest a Parliamentary or Assembly election. To contest a Parliamentary election, the amount is Rs 25,000 and in the case of a State Assembly election, it is Rs 10,000 and in the case of Scheduled castes and scheduled tribes candidates, the amounts are 12500 and 5000 respectively. This system is in place to discourage candidates from standing for election if they are not confident of winning or if they do not have enough support. According to the data, in the Lok Sabha Election 2019, over 7K candidates lost their deposits.

What does Losing a Deposit means?

Losing deposit in elections is when a candidate fails to secure one-sixth (16.7%) of the total votes polled in the constituency. This is an essential aspect of the elections as it ensures that only serious and capable candidates contest the elections. It also ensures that the voters have a real choice in the elections and that their vote is not wasted on a candidate with no chance of winning. Another advantage of this system is that it saves the time and money of the candidates who would otherwise have to contest the elections. 

• A deposit is a sum of money that must be paid by the candidate to the Election Commission of India at the time of nomination in an election.
• A candidate or party may lose their deposit if they fail to secure 1/6th percentage of votes in an election.
• The loss of a deposit can be a significant setback for a candidate or party and may discourage others from standing in future elections.
• Losing a deposit is often seen as a sign of electoral failure and can damage a party’s or candidate’s reputation. 

Advantages of the Election Deposit Rule:

The advantages of losing a deposit are:

• Losing deposits discourages candidates from running and saves the government money, by avoiding the seat that would otherwise be uncontested. 
• It may encourage more voters to participate in the election process, as they know that their vote will be more consequential in an election with fewer candidates.
• In democracies, an Election Deposit is a sign that the candidate is willing to put out their beliefs and fight for what they believe in.
• While the candidate may not have won the election, they are still able to make their voice heard and have a significant impact on the people.
• It can discourage negative campaigning, as candidates may be less likely to attack their opponents if they risk losing their deposits.
• It can reduce the cost of elections, as candidates who are confident of winning may be less likely to spend large sums of money on their campaigns.
• It can increase voter turnout, as voters may be more likely to participate in an election if they believe that their vote could make a difference in the outcome.

Drawbacks of the Election Deposit Rule:

The disadvantages of losing a deposit in an election are: 

• Losing a deposit can also have a psychological impact on a candidate, as it may be a blow to their ego.
• It can also make it more difficult for new or independent candidates to submit the deposit, as they may not have the financial resources and may feel that it is not worth the risk.
• It can discourage candidates from standing in elections, as they may feel that it is not worth the risk.
• Candidates who do lose their deposit may find it difficult to get another one, as they will be seen as a risk.
• It can also have a negative impact on a candidate’s reputation, as it may be seen as a sign of failure.
• It can also mean that a candidate is not eligible to stand in future elections.
• It can be a strong discouragement to potential candidates, especially if the deposit is high.
• It can also have a negative impact on a candidate’s family and friends, as they may feel disappointed or embarrassed.

Related Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:

Q1. What’s the Purpose of an Election Deposit?

Ans: A deposit is a sum of money paid by a candidate to the election commission as a guarantee that the candidate will contest the election and will not withdraw. The purpose of the deposit is to ensure that only serious candidates contest the election and to discourage non-serious candidates from stuffing up the process of the election. 

Q2. What is meant by a Security Deposit?

Ans: A security deposit is a type of deposit a candidate pays during the election process to secure their nomination. The deposit is usually equal to the value of the election fee and is refunded to the candidate if they win the election.

In India, a security deposit is a refundable deposit made by a candidate at the time of filing their nomination for an election. The deposit is used to cover the costs of any damages caused by the candidate during the election campaign. If the candidate wins the election, the deposit is returned to them. If the candidate loses the election, the deposit is lost by the candidate or party. 

Q3. What is the Security Deposit for the Presidential Election?

Ans: If a recognized political party nominates a candidate, the security deposit is Rs. 5,000. If the candidate is not affiliated with any party, the deposit is Rs. 15,000. The deposit is refunded if the candidate secures more than one-sixth of the total valid votes polled. This deposit is used to ensure that the election process is secure and that the candidates have the necessary funds to run their campaigns. The deposit is also used to cover the costs of any damages that may occur during the election.

Q4. Which authority is responsible for counting votes?

Ans: In India, the election commission is responsible for counting votes in elections. The election commission is a body responsible for overseeing the election process and ensuring it is fair and transparent.

Q5. What measures does it take to Ensure Free and Fair Elections?

Ans: Some measures that can be taken to ensure free and fair elections are:

•  Ensuring that all eligible citizens have the opportunity to register to vote.
•  Providing voters equal access to polling stations and voting booths. 
•  Make sure that all votes are counted fairly and accurately.
•  Ensuring that the election process is transparent and accountable. 
•  Make sure that all candidates have equal access to media and campaign resources. 

By taking these measures, we can help to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to participate and that the outcome of elections is representative of the will of the people.