Star campaigner

Persons who are nominated by parties to campaign in a given set of Constituencies. These persons are, in almost all cases, prominent and popular faces within the Party. However, there are no specific definitions according to law or the Election Commission of India.

• A recognized political party can have 40-star campaigners and an unrecognized (but registered) political party can have 20.
• The list of star campaigners has to be communicated to the Chief Electoral Officer and Election Commission within a week from the date of notification of an election.
• According to Section 77 (b) of The Representation of People’s Act, 1951 expenses incurred by the campaigner shall not be deemed to be an expenditure in connection with the election. In other words, the expenses will be borne by the respective political party
• The Model Code of Conduct states that if the star campaigner is a prime minister or a former prime minister, then expenses incurred for bullet-proof vehicles required by centrally appointed security personnel will be borne by the government.
• The manual to the Model Code of Conduct states that for the benefit of availing Section 77 (1) of The Representation of People’s Act, a permit for the mode of transport for every star campaigner will be issued centrally and against their name.
• It is also mandatory for this permit to be stuck on a prominent and visible place on the vehicle.