Shyam Rangeela, originally named Shyam Sunder, is an Indian comedian and politician from Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. He intended to contest the 2024 Indian general elections from the Varanasi constituency as an Independent candidate. Shyam Rangeela’s nomination was incomplete, and the Election Commission didn't find it funny!
WHAT IS A NOMINATION PAPER?
A nomination paper is a formal document that a candidate must submit to contest in an election. It includes essential details about the candidate, such as personal information, electoral details, and the required declarations and oaths.
REASONS FOR NOMINATION REJECTION
Shyam Rangeela's nomination was rejected by the Returning Officer (RO) for the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency on the grounds that it was incomplete. This decision was made because Rangeela did not fulfill the requirements as stipulated under Article 84 of the Constitution of India.Looks like Shyam missed his mark, and the EC wasn't amused!
ARTICLE 84 REQUIREMENTS
Article 84 outlines the qualifications needed for a person to be chosen as a member of Parliament. These include:
1. Citizenship: The individual must be a citizen of India.
2. Oath or Affirmation: The candidate must make and subscribe to an oath or affirmation before a person authorized by the Election Commission, as per the form set out in the Third Schedule of the Constitution.
3.Age Requirement:
● For the Council of States (Rajya Sabha): The candidate must be at least thirty years old.
● For the House of the People (Lok Sabha): The candidate must be at least twenty-five years old.
4. Other Qualifications: The candidate must possess any other qualifications prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament.
FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE OATH
● Reading the Oath Aloud: The aspirant must read the oath aloud to the authorized officer.
● Signing the Papers: The aspirant must also sign the nomination papers.
Shyam Rangeela signed the papers but failed to read the oath aloud. This omission rendered his nomination incomplete, leading to its rejection by the RO.
WHAT CAN RANGEELA DO NOW?
If Shyam Rangeela wishes to challenge the rejection, he must wait until after the election. Election-related issues can only be taken up by the courts, specifically the High Court, after the electoral process is concluded. During the ongoing electoral process, the courts are not permitted to entertain such cases.
For now, Shyam will have to keep his jokes on hold
Returning Officer: did he really have the last laugh?
But why not?The Madras High Court in 2021 ruled that the right to be funny is protected under Article 19(1)(a) -freedom of speech and expression.
SRIRAM’s
Share:
Get a call back
Fill the below form to get free counselling for UPSC Civil Services exam preparation
