Rules Around Star Campaigners in Elections

Key Points

• 1Section 77 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, provides for laws related to expenditure by 'leaders of a political party'.
• 2Recognized political parties can appoint a maximum of 40 star campaigners, while registered unrecognised parties can appoint up to 20.
• 3Expenditure on travel by star campaigners for their party is not part of a candidate's election expenditure.
• 4If star campaigners seek votes for candidates, the expenses are apportioned to the candidate's expenditure.
• 5The Election Commission has issued advisories to maintain decorum during campaigns.
• 6The EC ordered the removal of Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma from the list of star campaigners in January 2020.