For election to the Lok Sabha, a nomination paper can be filed by
- (a) anyone residing in India.
- (b) a resident of the constituency from which the election is to be contested.
- (c) any citizen of India whose name appears in the electoral roll of a constituency. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) any citizen of India.
Why the answer is (c)
• Under Section 4(d) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a person can contest a Lok Sabha seat from any constituency in India provided he or she is an elector — registered on the electoral roll — of any parliamentary constituency in the country (not necessarily the one contested), and is a citizen aged 25 or more — option (c).
• Mere residence (a, b) is not enough, and citizenship alone (d) is insufficient without enrolment as a voter.
• Hence option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) anyone residing in India.
- Residence alone does not qualify; non-citizens cannot contest.
- (b) a resident of the constituency from which the election is to be contested.
- One need not be a resident of the constituency contested.
- (d) any citizen of India.
- Citizenship alone is insufficient without being an elector.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.