One of the important topic in Civil Services Exam is Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. This topic is more relevant as it has generated widespread discussion among media, newspaper, intellectuals in the past and most recent as well. Topics of discussions have been — Representation of the People (Amendment and Validation) Bill, the office of profit bill, anti-defection bill, electoral reforms bill etc. Also quite relevant is recent remarks and decisions by the Supreme Court on disqualification of MPs and MLAs with criminal background. From Main Exam perspective the article “The paradox of political representation” by Yogendra Yadav gives a better analytical approach.
What is Representation of People Act, 1951?
The Representation of People Act, 1951 (RPA) is an act of Parliament of India to provide for the conduct of elections of the Houses of Parliament and to the House or Houses of the Legislature of each State, the qualifications and disqualifications for membership of those Houses, the corrupt practices and other offences at or in connection with such elections and the decision of doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with such elections. The Act was enacted by the provisional parliament under Article 379 of Indian Constitution vide Act No.43 of 1951 for the first general election conducted on 25 October 1951.
Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act
- Part 21 of the the Indian Constitution drafted by the Constituent Assembly had mentioned for a provisional parliament. The provisional parliament enacted Representation of People’s Act 1951, so that general elections could be conducted according to the rules mentioned.
- Citation is Article No 43 of 1951.
- Representation of People’s Act contains 13 parts (2 parts added as amendments). Each part is divided into different sections making it a total of 171 numbered sections (including those sections which were repealed later.).
- Expressions not used in 1951 act, but listed in Representation of the People Act 1950 (43 of 1950) shall have the same meaning.
- Chief Electoral Officer is mentioned in section 13A.
- Corrupt practices are mentioned in section 123.
- “Election” means an election to fill a seat or seats in either House of Parliament or in the House or either House of the Legislature of a State other than the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
This is three page article, consisting of