EC limits star campaigners in elections over Covid

The Election Commission has cut the maximum number of 'star campaigners' a party can use in elections to 30 due to concern over the spread of coronavirus infections in large gatherings.

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday revised the norms related to star campaigners for all ongoing and future elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The maximum limit on the number of star campaigners for recognized national/state political parties shall be 30 in place of 40 and for unrecognized registered political parties it shall be 15 in place of 20 during the period of the pandemic," the poll body said in a letter to all Chief Electoral Officers of the country.

"Political parties, which have already submitted a list of star campaigners shall resubmit a revised list within the stipulated period," the ECI said.

The commission revised the period of submission of the list of star campaigners, extending it from 7 days to 10 days from the date of notification.

The expenditure incurred on campaigning by such campaigners is exempt from being added to the election expenditure of a candidate.

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As per the new norm, the list of star campaigners should be sent to the Chief Electoral Officer and Election Commission within 10 days from the date of notification of an election.

The ECI delegation which went to Bihar for overseeing the preparedness of polling was informed about the matter of large gatherings during the visit of star campaigners.

"The matter was further deliberated in the Commission today. After considering all facts and circumstances emerging due to pandemic and keeping a balance between the requirement of a campaign by the political parties, the Commission has decided to revise the norms of star campaigners," the ECI said.

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