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.

Also read: What is the maximum number of votes that can be cast in EVM, know what is the limit

Bihar Assembly Elections 2025: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dnyanesh Kumar gave important information about Bihar assembly elections. He said that before each election, special special revision of the voter list is required according to the law. When someone says that the revision should be held after the election, it is not justice.

The Chief Election Commissioner said, “There is still time till ten days before the last nomination date. If a person or political party feels that no qualified voter list is included or any disqualified voter list, they can file their claim or objection. The claims and objections received will be disposed of at the ERO level. The list will be freezed after the nomination process and there will be no change.” Significantly, Rahul Gandhi questioned the time of the SIR process.

CEC advice on spending limit and electoral transparency

CEC Dnyanesh Kumar also gave detailed information on the expenditure limit. He said that it is mandatory for all candidates to follow the procedure set by the Commission. Officers of revenue services in every district have been appointed as supervisors to keep an account of expenditure. It is necessary to publicly inform your criminal record or publish in the newspaper, whether it is of any type, whether it is of any type.

CEC Dnyanesh Kumar said that Bihar elections will show a new path to the country. The Election Commission has taken a new initiative in Bihar which will be applicable across the country. Elections will be completed before 22 November. The election process will be completed.

‘Mock poll necessary to ensure transparency in elections’

He appealed to the candidates to enroll their polling agents at the polling booth. He said, “Your polling agents arrive there before the polling starts, see the mock poll personally and get Form 17C from the President after completion of the voting.”

‘No need to worry about lack of house number in voter list’

CEC also said that people who do not have their own house or who have not allotted any house number by the panchayat/municipality, can enter the nearest house number or sometimes zero. He further said, “When the booth level officer takes an annimance form of a person, the booth level agents of every political party are present. I am happy to say that more than 1,60,000 booth level agents in Bihar have been nominated by political parties.”