Election Commission restricts number of star campaigners for rallies

New Delhi: Election Commission (EC) has restricted the number of such celebrities who may canvass for a particular party. The decision comes after the panel ordered political parties to pay the bill for inviting star campaigners.

As per the poll panel's guidelines, registered political parties can appoint no more than 20 star campaigners. But for recognised parties, like Congress or BJP, the limit is 40.

"Political parties will now have to select their star campaigners keeping in mind the limit. They (the parties) will have to submit the list to the chief electoral officer and Election Commission within seven days of the poll notification, which is fixed for November 9. No permission will be given after that," an official said.

All political parties have been informed about the new stipulation introduced by the poll panel. The campaigners are appointed under Section 77(A) of the Representation of Peoples Act.

The details of code violation by the star campaigners would be noted down in separate party registers.

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The poll panel had recently held that political parties would have to bear the expenses for inviting star campaigners.

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