1,717 candidates to contest elections in phase 4 of Lok Sabha Election: ECI

The Election Commission of India announced on Friday that a total of 1,717 candidates from 10 States/UTs will be contesting elections in phase 4 of the Lok Sabha polls. As per the poll body, there were 4,264 nominations filed for 96 parliamentary constituencies across these regions. The polling for the fourth phase of elections is scheduled for May 13.

According to the Election Commission, Telangana saw the highest number of nomination forms filed (1488), followed by Andhra Pradesh with 1103 nominations from 25 constituencies. Malkajgiri Parliamentary Constituency in Telangana received the highest number of 177 nomination forms, followed by 13-Nalgonda and 14-Bhongir in the same state with 114 nomination forms each. The average number of contesting candidates in a parliamentary constituency for the fourth phase is 18.

The deadline for filing nominations for phase 4 for all 10 States/UTs was April 25, 2024. The ECI directed all states and UTs to ensure the timely issuance of ‘No Dues certificate’ to intending candidates to be included in their affidavits.

In a move to facilitate intending candidates, the ECI instructed all States/UTs to ensure the issuance of “No Dues Certificate” within 48 hours of the receipt of the request letter in cases where dues are not pending or are not due by law. Additionally, details of dues accrued to such individuals should be provided within 48 hours of submitting the application to the agencies, and the No dues certificate should be issued within 24 hours of clearing such dues.

The Election Commission’s order stated, “During ongoing elections to the Lok Sabha, 2024, it has come to the notice of the Election Commission that an intending candidate could not obtain “No Dues Certificate” from concerned authorities and therefore could not file the same with respect to the (a) rent, (b) electricity charges, (c) water charges and (d) telephone charges, even after the candidate had supposedly cleared all such dues. Such instances may cause significant loss not only to the aspiring candidates but also to the political parties and electorate of the constituency concerned and undermines the principles of participatory electoral democracy.”

Failure to provide a ‘no dues certificate’ even after clearing all dues can jeopardize the candidate’s candidature during the scrutiny of nominations. Additionally, submitting a ‘no dues certificate’ after the statutory period for filing nominations has expired does not provide relief for the candidate. To prevent such occurrences, the advisory has been issued.

The Lok Sabha elections are being conducted in seven phases until June 1, with polling for two phases already concluded. Vote counting will take place on June 4.