Discuss the procedures to decide the disputes arising out of the election of a Member of the Parliament or a State Legislature under the Representation of People Act 1951. What are the grounds on which the election of any returned candidate may be declared void? What remedy is available to the aggrieved party against the decision? Refer to the case laws
A repeated theme: corrupt practices under RPA and disproportionate assets, election disputes and grounds for voiding, disqualification and remedies, ECI and MCC, ONOE, EVM trust, ECI's 2016 reforms, voting as a right and voter-roll revision.
What to cover
RPA 1951: Sections 8, 100, 123
Election petitions in High Court
MCC evolution and enforcement
ONOE: Kovind Committee
EVM/VVPAT safeguards
Right to vote: statutory vs constitutional debate
Writing the answer
Cite sections, committees and cases
These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 10 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.