Under the present election law, a candidate can contest a general election to the Lok Sabha from at most how many constituencies at the same time?

Under Section 33(7) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a person cannot contest a general election or by-elections held together from more than two constituencies for the same House.

History of the rule:

• Before 1996, there was no limit, and a candidate could contest from any number of constituencies.
• Some candidates contested from three or more seats.
• The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1996 limited the number to two.

Why the limit was introduced:

• If a candidate wins from more than one seat, he must keep only one and resign the others.
• This forces a by-election in the seats he gives up, which wastes public money and the time of the voters and the Election Commission.
• Reducing the number of seats a candidate can contest reduces such by-elections.

What happens if a candidate wins both seats:

• He must resign from one of the seats within fourteen days of the declaration of results.
• If he does not, both seats become vacant.

Proposals for further reform:

• The Election Commission has suggested that a candidate should be allowed to contest from only one constituency.
• It has also suggested that if the two-seat rule continues, a candidate who vacates a seat should pay the cost of the by-election.
• The Law Commission, in its 255th report, also supported limiting candidates to one seat.
• In 2023, the Supreme Court refused to strike down the two-seat rule, saying that it was a matter of policy for Parliament.

Famous examples:

Several prominent leaders have contested from two seats in general elections, winning both and then keeping one.

State elections:

The same rule applies to elections to state Legislative Assemblies and Councils.

About the Representation of the People Act, 1951:

It lays down the qualifications and disqualifications of candidates, the conduct of elections, corrupt practices and election disputes.

Why not the other options?

• ✗One is the limit proposed by the Election Commission, not the present law.
• ✗Three and four were allowed before 1996.