Nomination in Indian Polity

🔹 Meaning:

• Nomination = Process of formally proposing a candidate for election.

• It is the first stage of the electoral process.

• A candidate must file a nomination paper to contest in Lok Sabha, State Assembly, or local body elections.

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🔹 Constitutional & Legal Provisions

1. Article 84 & 173 – Qualifications for membership of Parliament & State Legislature.

2. Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA 1951) – Governs nomination procedure.

3. Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 – Prescribes forms & details.

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🔹 Nomination Procedure

1. Filing of Nomination Paper

   • Candidate must submit to the Returning Officer.

   • Filed in prescribed form with candidate’s details.

2. Security Deposit

   • Lok Sabha: ₹25,000 (₹12,500 for SC/ST).

   • State Assembly: ₹10,000 (₹5,000 for SC/ST).

   • Forfeited if candidate fails to secure 1/6th of valid votes.

3. Proposers Requirement

   • Candidate of recognized party → 1 proposer.

   • Candidate of unrecognized party/independent → 10 proposers.

4. Scrutiny of Nominations

   • Conducted by Returning Officer to check eligibility (citizenship, age, criminal record, disqualification).

5. Withdrawal of Nomination

   • Candidate can withdraw within 2 days after scrutiny.

6. Final List of Candidates

   • Published after withdrawal period.

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🔹 Importance of Nomination

• Prevents bogus candidates.

• Ensures seriousness (via security deposit).

• Provides transparency in elections.

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🔹 Nominated Members in Legislature

Apart from elected members, Constitution allows nomination in some cases:

1. Rajya Sabha → President nominates 12 members (art, literature, science, social service).

2. Lok Sabha → President nominates 2 Anglo-Indians (Article 331 – now abolished by 104th Constitutional Amendment, 2019).

3. State Legislative Assembly → Governor may nominate 1 Anglo-Indian (also abolished by 104th Amendment).

4. Legislative Council → Governor nominates 1/6th members from art, literature, science, social service, cooperative movement.

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📌 Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

1. UPSC 2018 (Prelims):
   How many proposers are required for a candidate of a recognized political party to file nomination for Lok Sabha election?

   • (a) 10

   • (b) 7

   • (c) 5

   • (d) 1
     ✅ Answer: (d)

2. SSC CGL 2020:
   How many members are nominated by the President to the Rajya Sabha?

   • (a) 10

   • (b) 12

   • (c) 14

   • (d) 15
     ✅ Answer: (b)

3. RRB NTPC 2021:
   Security deposit for a Lok Sabha election candidate is:

   • (a) ₹10,000

   • (b) ₹15,000

   • (c) ₹25,000

   • (d) ₹50,000
     ✅ Answer: (c)

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📌 MCQs for Practice

1. Security deposit for SC/ST candidate in Lok Sabha elections is:

   • (a) ₹25,000

   • (b) ₹15,000

   • (c) ₹12,500

   • (d) ₹5,000
     ✅ Answer: (c)

2. The scrutiny of nominations is done by:

   • (a) Election Commission of India

   • (b) Returning Officer

   • (c) Presiding Officer

   • (d) Governor
     ✅ Answer: (b)

3. Withdrawal of nomination must be done within:

   • (a) 1 day after scrutiny

   • (b) 2 days after scrutiny

   • (c) 5 days after scrutiny

   • (d) 7 days after scrutiny
     ✅ Answer: (b)

4. How many members are nominated by the Governor to the Legislative Council?

   • (a) 1/6th

   • (b) 1/4th

   • (c) 1/3rd

   • (d) 1/8th
     ✅ Answer: (a)

5. The Anglo-Indian representation in Lok Sabha was abolished by which amendment?

   • (a) 101st

   • (b) 103rd

   • (c) 104th

   • (d) 105th
     ✅ Answer: (c)