Maharashtra elections 2024: 85% candidates lose Rs 3.5 crore deposits, highest in 10 years; Congress aspirants top chart

NAGPUR: Of the 4,136 candidates in the fray in Maharashtra, 3,515 (85%) lost their security deposits after they failed to secure the minimum vote share stipulated by EC. In all, Rs 3.5 crore was forfeited, the highest in 10 years.

In 2014, 4,119 candidates contested the polls and 3,422 (83.1%) lost their deposits, amounting to Rs 3.4 crore. In 2019, 80.5% of 3,237 candidates forfeited their deposits, totalling Rs 2.6 crore.

Under Representation of People Act, 1951, if a candidate fails to secure at least one-sixth of the total valid votes cast in their constituency, the security deposit is forfeited. Each assembly poll candidate must pay a Rs 10,000 deposit, while SC and ST contestants need to pay Rs 5,000.

Among the two major alliances, MVA suffered the biggest loss in security deposits, with its candidates losing their money in 22 seats. Congress candidates alone forfeited deposits in nine seats, followed by Shiv Sena (UBT) in eight and NCP (SP) in three. Peasants and Workers Party, an MVA constituent, lost deposits in two seats.

Nashik district clocked the highest number of forfeits among big players—in two seats from Shiv Sena (UBT), three from Congress and one from NCP (SP).

Taking a macro view with small parties and Independents, Mumbai suburban stood at 261, followed by Pune at 260.

On the other hand, no BJP candidate forfeited their deposit across the state. However, a candidate of Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena lost his deposit in Vidarbha's Daryapur (Amravati district), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP lost deposits in five seats across Maharashtra. The Morshi constituency in the same district saw a unique situation where both factions of NCP lost their deposits. In a tight contest, BJP's Umesh Yawalkar bagged 99,683 votes, whereas NCP's Devendra Bhuyar and NCP (SP)'s Girish Karale could only secure 34,695 and 31,843 votes, respectively—which were below the mandatory threshold.

Other smaller parties also suffered deposit forfeitures. VBA, BSP and MNS lost deposits on nearly all seats statewide. An exception was MNS's Amit Thackeray, who lost but exceeded the threshold in Mahim constituency.

Sachin Waghade, an Independent who contested against Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur South West and lost his deposit, "Contesting is our constitutional right, and we participate because we still believe in democracy and in the democratic process. While I understand the need for Election Commission to ensure fairness and prevent bogus candidates, I believe that instead of the entire deposit being forfeited, 25% should be retained.