In Bihar (and across India), the eligibility criteria for a candidate to contest as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) are governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Constitution of India. The key eligibility requirements are:
1. Citizenship:
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
2. Age Requirement:
- The candidate must be at least 25 years old.
3. Voter Registration:
- The candidate must be a registered voter in any constituency of Bihar.
4. Educational Qualification:
- There is no minimum educational qualification required.
5. No Disqualification under Law:
The candidate must not be disqualified under the following conditions:
- Holding an office of profit under the Government of India or any state government (exceptions apply for certain offices).
- Unsound mind declared by a competent court.
- Undischarged insolvent (not having cleared debts as per legal declaration).
- Criminal Convictions: If convicted for certain offenses and sentenced to imprisonment for 2 years or more, the candidate is disqualified (unless a higher court grants a stay on the conviction).
- Corrupt practices in elections, promoting enmity between groups, or engaging in electoral offenses.
6. Party Affiliation & Independent Candidates:
- A candidate can contest as a party-affiliated candidate or as an independent candidate.
- If contesting from a party, the party must be registered with the Election Commission of India (ECI).
7. Affidavit & Declaration:
- The candidate must submit an affidavit with details of:
- Criminal records (if any)
- Assets and liabilities
- Educational qualifications
8. Security Deposit:
- A security deposit is required to be paid while filing nomination papers.
- The amount varies but is ₹10,000 for General candidates and ₹5,000 for SC/ST candidates.
9. Nomination Process:
- The candidate must file nomination papers with the Returning Officer before the deadline.
- Nomination must be proposed by voters from the concerned constituency.
For further clarification visit ECI Website
