A Star Campaigner, by standard definition, is a candidate chosen by a political party to contest in a given constituency. He/she is chosen usually on the basis of popularity but there is no specific definition under Indian law and the Election Commission (EC).
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Latest Update:
After considering all facts and circumstances emerging due to the pandemic and keeping a balance between the requirement of the campaign by the political parties, the Commission has decided to revise the norms of Star Campaigners.
To ensure the conduct of free, fair, peaceful, transparent, ethical and safe elections during COVID-19, the Commission hereby revises the norms concerning Star Campaigners for all ongoing and future elections during the period of pandemic COVID-19 in the following manner:
- 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.
- Accordingly, the period of submission of the list of star campaigners is extended from 7 days to 10 days from the date of notification. Political parties, which have already submitted a list of star campaigners, shall resubmit a revised list within the stipulated period.
- Request for permission for the campaigning by star campaigners shall be submitted to the district election authorities at least 48 hours before the start of the campaign so that all necessary safety measures are put in place by all concerned stakeholders well in time.
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Who is a Star Campaigner?
Star campaigners are the people nominated by parties to campaign in a given set of constituencies. They are usually prominent and popular faces within the party. A recognised (mainstream party) can field a maximum number of 40-star campaigners while unrecognised political parties can field up to 20 campaigners. The list of star campaigners is declared to the Election Commission within a week from the date of notification of an election.
It was recently in the news that the status of Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Kamalnath Singh, as a star campaigner has been revoked by the Election Commission of India. The reason given by the EC was that Kamal Nath had violated the model code of conduct set by the Election Commission despite repeated warnings
Later the Supreme Court of India stated that the EC has no right to take away the star campaigner status of any political candidate.
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What are the guidelines for the conduct of a Star Campaigner?
Section 77(1) of the Representation of People Act, 1951 contains the Guidelines for Star Campaigners. It is issued by the Election Commission, from time to time. The guidelines make selection or revocation of ‘star campaigners’ the special rights of the political party.
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What are the rules of expenditure regarding a Star Campaigner?
The expenditure on rally and travel by the star campaigner is borne by the candidate in the following manner:
- A candidate shares the stage with a star campaigner in a rally.
- There are posters of star campaigners along with photos of other candidates displayed.
- If the name of the candidate is mentioned by the star campaigner during a rally or any other event.
- In the event that is more than one candidate sharing the stage, or there are posters with their photographs, then the expenses are equally divided among all such candidates.
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