By Admin 
Bihar Assembly Election 2025: Bihar assembly elections are near. A common question arising amid political rallies and campaigning is whether a registered voter of Delhi can contest Lok Sabha elections from any other state like Haryana or Maharashtra or not. Let us know what is the answer to this question and what are the rules.
Legal basis for contesting elections from another state
Under Section 4(C), 4(CC) and 4(CCC) of the Representation of the People Act 1951, you get the right to contest elections across India, no matter where you are registered as a voter. These sections determine the qualifications required to become a member of Parliament. According to the law, a citizen who is a registered voter anywhere in India can file nomination for Lok Sabha from any constituency. However, the rules are slightly different for state assembly elections.
Eligibility to contest Lok Sabha elections
To contest Lok Sabha elections, certain conditions have to be fulfilled. The candidate must be an Indian citizen, must be at least 25 years of age at the time of filing nomination papers, and must be a registered voter of any Indian constituency. Let us tell you that it is not necessary for the voter to belong to the same constituency or state from where he is contesting the election.
Any candidate can stand in the elections as a member of any recognized political party or as an independent candidate. However, independent candidates have to submit nomination papers supported by the required number of voters of the concerned constituency as per the guidelines of the Election Commission.
contesting state assembly elections
The rules for contesting state assembly elections are different. For this, the person should be a registered voter of the state from where he wants to contest elections.
Disqualifications for contesting elections
Although the right to contest elections is a constitutional privilege, certain disqualifications may prevent a person from exercising it. Any person declared mentally ill by a competent court or a bankrupt without any guilt cannot contest elections. Similarly, persons who have voluntarily acquired foreign citizenship or have held office of profit under the government are also not eligible to contest elections.
Additionally, candidates convicted of criminal offenses and sentenced to imprisonment for 2 years or more are disqualified for 6 years after their release.
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