Losing security deposit is no deterrent

Even before a single vote is cast, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is sure to lose security deposit in one of the two Lok Sabha constituencies from where he is contesting!

Rules say that even if he wins both the seats, Yadav will have to forgo the Rs 25,000 security deposit for one of the two constituencies—Mainpuri or Azamgarh—from where he is contesting.

Narendra Modi will also be poorer by Rs 25,000 if he decides to contest from another constituency, besides the already-announced Varanasi seat.

Normally, the security deposit of a candidate who garners less than one-sixth of the total votes polled in a constituency is forfeited.

All candidates except those from Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) will have to deposit Rs 25,000 while filing nominations. The deposit for SC/ST is Rs 12,500. 

The security deposit for a Lok Sabha candidate in 1996 was a meagre Rs 500 for a general candidate and half of it for SC/STs.

The Election Commission Handbook for Returning Officers says if a candidate is contesting a general election or Assembly election from more than one constituency, he cannot get a return of more than one deposit made by him or on his behalf. Other deposits made by him or on his behalf will be forfeited to government, it adds.

An analysis by the Election Commission has shown that forfeiture of deposits has not been a deterrent for people contesting elections.