UP election deposits, spending limits set to rise

The Election Commission (EC) has proposed raising the security deposit for candidates in Union Parishad (UP) elections by five times, along with doubling the maximum campaign spending limits.

Under the proposed rules, a candidate for UP chairman will have to deposit Tk25,000 to contest the election, up from the existing Tk5,000.

The deposit for general members and reserved women members will also be raised from Tk1,000 to Tk5,000.

The EC also plans to double the maximum election spending limit for chairman candidates to Tk1 million from Tk500,000. For general and reserved women members, the limit will rise to Tk200,000 from Tk100,000.

The rules on forfeiting security deposits will also be changed. Currently, a candidate loses the deposit if they receive less than one-eighth, or 12.5 per cent, of the total votes cast. Under the proposed rules, candidates will have to secure at least 15 per cent of the votes to retain their deposits.

EC officials said the changes were being considered partly because local government elections are held without party symbols, which may result in a higher number of candidates, particularly in UP elections.
A large number of candidates can increase the number of names on ballot papers and put additional pressure on polling centre management and law enforcement agencies.

The EC expects the higher deposits and other changes to help reduce the number of candidates.

However, some people involved in the electoral process have raised concerns that higher deposits could make it harder for financially less well-off but qualified people to contest elections. Election experts may also question the impact of the changes on public participation and access to elections.

The proposed rules also include tougher penalties for election offences. Another provision would empower the EC to stop voting at a polling centre if evidence of irregularities is found.

There will be no minimum educational qualification for UP candidates. As under the existing rules, anyone who meets the other legal requirements will be eligible to contest the posts of chairman or member.
The proposed amendments were prepared by revising the Local Government (Union Parishad) Election Rules, 2010. After vetting by the Ministry of Law, the draft was sent to the EC.

The draft will next be sent back to the Ministry of Law for an SRO number. The final gazette is expected to be published after the process is completed.