In the precincts of Tezpur, an aspirant, Mahendra Orang from Rangapara, displayed an unprecedented appeal during his endeavor to file candidacy for the imminent Lok Sabha elections in Assam. His petition left the district’s returning officer and onlookers in a state of astonishment.

Orang, representing the Voters Party International, approached the district commissioner’s office in Sonitpur, seeking approval for a distinctive request on the final day designated for nomination submissions in the inaugural phase of the electoral process.

Deciding impulsively to present his nomination papers, Orang found himself at the precincts of the Sonitpur District Commissioner’s office, accompanied by a mere cohort of 10 supporters. However, his spontaneous decision left him bereft of the mandatory security deposit amounting to Rs 25,000, a requisite for nomination filing.

He elucidated that although he awaited an online transfer of the stipulated amount from a friend, it failed to materialize in due time. Consequently, he beseeched the district’s returning officer for the option to remit the sum in staggered payments, pledging to fulfill the outstanding portion upon nomination verification.

Regrettably, his entreaty met with denial as the returning officer clarified the absence of provisions within the electoral regulations to accommodate such arrangements. Disheartened, Orang departed empty-handed, unable to formalize his nomination.

As per the Representation of People Act, 1951, it mandates all electoral contenders to furnish a security deposit. For the Lok Sabha elections, this sum stands at Rs 25,000, while for Assembly elections, it reduces to Rs 10,000. Notably, candidates belonging to scheduled castes and tribes are subject to a reduced fee of Rs 12,500 and Rs 5,000, respectively. Failure to secure a minimum of 16.7 percent of the total votes polled results in forfeiture of the deposit.