2014  LOK  SABHA  ELECTIONS  

CANDIDATE  HANDBOOK  
 
 
Maharashtra  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
   2  
Using  this  Handbook  
 
This  handbook  has  been  designed  to  help  you  run  a  political  campaign  and  understand  the  
mechanisms  of  the  Lok  Sabha  electioneering  system.  
 
There  are  many  technical  and  legal  requirements  when  running  for  an  election  that  a  
candidate  and  his/  her  team  need  to  adhere  to.  The  Election  Commission  is  the  foremost  
body  in  India  for  this,  and  its  rules  and  regulations  must  be  well  understood  and  followed.  
 
A  political  campaign  involves  several  different  aspects.  Putting  together  a  campaign  team,  
volunteer  management,  media  and  publicity,  developing  campaign  strategies,  and  so  forth.  
 
This  handbook  attempts  to  document  the  knowledge  and  strategies  within  all  these  areas,  
as  well  as  to  share  the  best  practices  of  the  various  campaign  teams  from  across  the  state.  
 
Please  treat  it  as  your  religious  book  of  campaigning,  and  like  all  good  religions,  as  a  work  
continuously  in  progress  as  knowledge  and  experience  evolves.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE:  Google  Drive  
 
All  relevant  documents/  permission  forms/  formats,  etc.  are  available  on  a  Google  Drive  titled  
“AAP  MAHARASHTRA”.  Please  see  the  last  section  for  a  list  of  items  on  this.  
 
For  login  access  to  the  Google  drive  please  send  a  request  to  anushka.aap@gmail.com  
   3  
Contents  
 
A.  Understanding  the  Election   -­‐   Page  4  
Timeline  
 
B.  Election  and  Voter  Information   +  List  of  Returning  Officers   6  &  7  
 
C.  Setting-­‐Up  Your  Campaign   Campaign  Team   9  
 
  Volunteer  and  Membership  Management   10  
 
  Campaign  Strategies     11  
 
  Do’s  and  Don’ts,  EC  permissions,  FAQs   12  
 
D.  Publicity,  Print  and  Social  Media   -­‐   16  
 
E.  Information  Technology  (IT)   -­‐   21  
 
F.  Finance   Bank  Accounts   22  
 
  Accounting  Election  Expenditure   25  
 
  Fund-­‐raising   26  
 
G.  Legal   Overview  of  Election  Laws   28  
 
  Legal  Cell   29  
 
  Filing  for  Nomination   30  
 
H.  Election  Day   -­‐   32  
 
Annexure   List  of  items  on  Google  Drive   33  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   4  
A.  Understanding  the  Election  Timeline  
 
 
MODEL  CODE  OF  CONDUCT:  From  the  date  of  announcement  up  until  the  election,  the  
Model  Code  of  Conduct  is  in  place.  This  is  the  most  important  document  explaining  what  
you  can  and  cannot  do  during  an  election.  It  ensures  that  there  are  no  corrupt  practices,  
electoral  offences,  or  voter  malpractices.  
 
 
ISSUE  OF  NOTIFICATION:  Normally  25-­‐28  days  before  the  date  of  election.  From  this  date  
onwards  candidates  can  file  for  nomination.  
 
 
FILING  FOR  NOMINATION:  From  the  date  of  the  issue  of  the  notification,  candidates  have  
one  week  to  file  for  nomination  (if  the  7th  day  is  a  public  holiday,  then  it  will  be  the  
subsequent  working  day).  
 
 
SCRUTINY  OF  NOMINATION:  The  day  after  the  last  day  of  filing  for  nomination.  
 
 
WITHDRAWAL  OF  CANDIDATURE:  The  two  days  following  scrutiny.  
 
 
CAMPAIGN  PERIOD:  From  filing  for  nomination  until  silent  period.  
 
 
SILENT  PERIOD:  All  campaigning  to  end  48  hours  before  the  date  of  election  poll.  
 
 
DATE  OF  ELECTION  POLL:  Lok  Sabha  elections  are  usually  held  from  the  first  week  of  April  
until  the  first  week  of  May.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note:  Within  Delhi,  AAP  is  a  registered  and  recognized  state  political  party.    
Outside  of  Delhi  it  is  a  registered  but  unrecognized  political  party.  
 
   5  
MAHARASHTRA  GENERAL  ELECTIONS  DATES  2014  
 

 
 
 
 
Source:  http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/current/Press%20Note%20GE-­‐2014_05032014.pdf  
   6  
B.  Election  and  Voter  Information  
 
The  following  websites  are  essential  in  understanding  the  various  aspects  of  the  Lok  Sabha  
election.  It  is  mandatory  for  all  candidates  and  campaign  teams  to  be  familiar  with  these.  
 
 
Election  Commission  of  India  (ECI):  
http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/the_setup.aspx  
 
Chief  Electoral  Office,  Maharashtra  (CEO-­‐M):  
https://ceo.maharashtra.gov.in/Default.aspx  
 
 
 
 
On  these  websites  you  will  find:  
 
• Important  election  dates   • Candidates  affidavits    
• Election  Laws  and  ECI  documents   • List  of  FAQs  for  voters  
• ECI  Handbook  for  Candidates   • Important  forms  to  download  
• Election  Manifestos   • Training  material  on  participation  and  
• Information  for  party  registration  and   conduct  
candidate  nomination   • Telephone  directory  
• List  of  assembly  and  parliamentary   • Complaints  forum  
constituencies    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTE:  CONSTITUENCY  SUPPORT  MANAGER  
[One-­‐Point  Contact  for  candidate/campaign  team  at  the  Mumbai  Office]  
 
Your  Constituency  Support  Manager  (CSM)  is  your  one  one-­‐point  contact  for  all  information  and  issues.  
Any  information  or  queries  to  be  relayed  to/from  the  constituency  team  will  be  through  the  CSM.    
While  contacting  the  media,  publicity,  news,  or  legal  teams  please  mark  a  copy  of  the  mail  in  cc  to  your  
CSM.  
   7  
SOURCES  OF  VOTER  DATA  available  on  the  above  websites  
 
 
Electoral  Roll:  List  of  registered  voters  for  your  constituency  
that  can  be  searched  by  district,  assembly  constituency,  and  
part.  
 
 
Polling  Station  Maps:  Google  maps  identifying  polling  stations  
by  district,  assembly  constituency,  and  part.  
 
 
Past  Election  Data:  Has  results  of  previous  General  Election  and  
Assembly  Election  seats  as  both  statistics  and  maps.  
 
 
Form  20:  This  maps  the  data  of  past  election  results  as  per  each  
polling  booth.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KEY  ELECTION  PERSONS  
 
CEO   Chief  Electoral  Officer      
DEO   District  Election  Officer    
RO/  A-­‐RO   Returning  Officer/  Asst.  RO    
ERO/  A-­‐ERO   Electoral  Registration  Officer/  Asst.  ERO    
 
 
Your  RO  will  be  your  main  point  of  contact  for  any  election  related  work.  Please  see  the  
list  on  the  next  page  to  know  who  the  RO  for  you  constituency  is.  
 
 
   8  
List  of  Returning  Officer’s  as  per  parliamentary  constituency  (https://ceo.maharashtra.gov.in/Downloads/ECI_PDFs/RO.pdf)  

 
   9  
C.  SETTING-­‐UP  THE  CAMPAIGN  
 
CAMPAIGN  TEAM    
 
Designation   Key  Activities    
Campaign  Manager   • To  decide  on  campaign  strategy  and  key  events  for  the  candidate    
• To  source  and  manage  volunteers    
• To  manage  the  door-­‐to-­‐door  campaign  
• To  liaison  with  Head  office  on  all  issues  of  the  campaign    
• To  oversee  the  legal,  publicity  and  social  media  teams    
   
Election  Agent   • To  liaison  with  Returning  officer  on  a  daily  basis    
•  To  seek  permissions  from  police  for  holding  events  /rallies    
• To  ensure  submission  of  expenses  to  the  Returning  Officer  
• To  verify  publicity  material  with  RO  before  print  
 
Accountant     • To  manage  the  candidate  account  in  accordance  with  the  election  limit  specified    
• To  ensure  expenses  are  auditable  with  proper  records    
• To  handle  opening  and  operationalization  of  constituency  and  candidate  bank  
accounts  
 
Personal  Secretary   • To  filter  calls  to  the  candidate  
• To  maintain  and  release  the  daily  schedule  of  the  candidate  to  the  internal  team    
• To  ensure  adherence  to  the  Model  Code  of  Conduct  
• To  ensure  time  management  of  the  candidate  
 
Advocate   • To  reply  to  all  legal  notices  issued  to  the  candidate  with  approval  from  head  
counsel  stationed  at  the  head  office  
• To  ensure  submission  of  the  nomination  form  of  the  candidate  
• To  ensure  all  activities  adhere  to  the  election  laws  
 
Social  Media  and  IT   • To  manage  the  Twitter,  Facebook  accounts  of  the  candidate  as  well  as  outreach  
Coordinator   campaigns  such  as  IVR,  Call  Campaign,  and  bulk  SMS  campaign  
• To  liaison  with  the  head  office  in  terms  of  ensuring  coverage  of  all  the  social  
media  events  
• To  maintain  volunteers  and  members  database/  software  
 
Print  and  publicity   • To  manage  all  the  print  templates  for  the  campaign  
Executive  /Designer   • To  seek  approval  from  Head  office  before  launching  any  new  template/design        
• To  negotiate  rates  with  vendors  regarding  printing  and  designing.  
• To  keep  proper  inventory  of  all  printing  material  and  ensure  advance  ordering  for  
at  least  a  week  
• To  ensure  all  publicity  material  follows  the  Model  Code  of  Conduct  rules  
 
Funds  manager   • To  source  and  manage  funds  through  corporates  and  HNIs  
• To  plan  fund-­‐raising  meetings  and  events  with  various  groups  and  organizations  
• To  build  a  network  of  financial  supporters  
• To  plan  for  crowd-­‐sourcing  of  donations  and  other  innovations  in  fund-­‐raising  
 
Polling  Booth  Agent   • Volunteer  who  sits  at  booth  on  election  day  must  be  a  voter  of  that  polling  booth  
 
   10  
VOLUNTEER/MEMBER  MANAGEMENT  
 
Sourcing  volunteers/  members  
Volunteer   List  of  volunteer  opportunities  identifying  the  key  activities  and  the  required  
requirements   time  commitment  
 
Office  Walk-­‐Ins   All  office  walk-­‐ins  for  membership  or  otherwise  should  be  encouraged  to  
volunteer  based  on  their  backgrounds/  areas  of  expertise  
 
Social  Media     Facebook  and  Twitter  driven  campaign  for  volunteer  sourcing    
 
Website     Enrollment  of  members/volunteer  online;  List  of  all  who  opt  for  volunteering  on  
the  AAP  website  will  be  provided  by  the  Head  Office  
 
Door-­‐to-­‐Door   Membership  form  included  in  ground  campaign  kit;  AAP  supporters  encouraged  
campaign     to  become  AAP  representatives  for  their  building/  society  
 
SMS  Campaigns   Dedicated  local  SMS  campaign  on  ongoing  basis  requesting  volunteers  
 
Ward  Coordinators     Ward  coordinators  to  double  up  as  volunteers  in  respective  ward  
 
Pubic  Spaces   Run  membership  drives  at  railways  stations,  bus  depots,  in  trains,  malls,  etc.  
 
 
   
Volunteer  roles  
Time   Possible  roles  
availability  
Only   Door-­‐to-­‐door  campaigning;  padhyatras;  rallys;  call  campaign;  email  responses;  social  
Weekends     media;  content/  creative  writing;  graphics  content;  building/  society  representative  
 
Part-­‐time   Ground  campaign;  IT/  data  input;  content/  creative  writing;  graphics  content;  
building/  society  representative;  Constituency  Support  Manager;  legal  consultant  
 
Full-­‐time   Core  team  roles;  office  operations  
 
 
 
Door-­‐to-­‐Door  Campaign  Kit  for  Volunteers  
Stationary     Clipboard;  pen;  notepad;  folder  
Kit  items   Topis;  badges;  stickers;  donation  books  and  copies  of  ‘Swaraj’  [both  available  from  
Mumbai  office]    
Essential   Permission  letters;  membership  forms;  volunteer  AAP-­‐ID  card;  FAQ  on  AAP  [all  on  
documents   Google  Drive];  voter  slips  [to  be  printed  locally]  
 
 
 
 
   11  
CAMPAIGN  STRATEGIES  
 
Events  Planning   Kindly  ensure  events  are  properly  planned  and  there  are  proper  permissions  in  
place  24  hours  before  the  events  are  scheduled.    
Jan  Sabhas   Conduct  at  least  6  jansabhas  every  assembly  constituency.  1  in  every  municipal  
ward   if   applicable.   Carry   a   photographer   who   can   be   capturing   images   to   be  
disseminate  to  Social  media  /press.    
Manifesto     Create   local   assembly   level   manifestos   to   reach   out   to   maximum   voters.   Seek  
approval  from  HO  for  the  manifesto  release.  
Buzz  campaigns     Create  teams  for  creating  buzz  among  morning  joggers,  railway  stations  and  bus  
depots.  
Publicity  material     Advance   planning   and   printing   of   all   publicity   material   required   so   that   the  
planned  events  can  go  off  smoothly.  
Local  Issues   Official  response  on  local  issues  in  the  constituency  should  be  documented  and  
informed   to   press,   volunteer   and   all   campaign   staff.   Hoardings   to   be   printed   for  
highlighting  the  AAP  message.  
Stakeholders  &   Identify   and   meet   local   stakeholders.   Stakeholders   include   activists/   social  
Community  Alliances   workers/   resident   welfare   associations/   local   trade   associations/   shetkari  
sanghatnas.  One  dedicated  person  should  be  appointed  for  this.  
War  room     War   room   to   be   set   up   and   daily   morning   meeting   to   be   done   to   review   the  
effectiveness  and  completion  of  the  various  campaigns  and  strategies  adopted.    
Publicity  through   Sympathizers   of   AAP   should   be   encouraged   to   put   up   AAP   banners   in   their  
sympathizers   respective  shops/  offices.    
Promotion  through   Small  videos  containing  issues  raised  by  AAP  to  be  shared  with  members  to  
Cell  phones   share  with  their  friends  and  associates  via  Whatsapp,  Facebook,  etc.  
Autorickshaws     Liason  with  auto  rickshaws  and  encourage  them  to  put  up  the  AAP  banner.  Cost  
effective  and  high-­‐impact  strategy.    
Focus  on  Marathi   All   banners   and   hoarding   to   be   put   up   in   Marathi/Hindi/English   depending   on  
language   the   constituency   elector’s   profile.   Ensure   Marathi   translator   available   at   all  
times.  
Helpline  Facility     • For  Every  constituency  a  dedicated  number  is  provided.  
• Publish  only  this  number  on  your  publicity  material.  
• Every  person  who  calls  on  this  number  will  be  diverted  to  3  persons  of  
the  candidate  choice  
•  If  the  call  volume  is  high,  then  this  can  be  shared  with  4  or  more  people.    
• For  Setup  and  costing  contact  Constituency  Support  Manager  at  Head  
office.    
Call  Campaign   • Campaign  aimed  to  reach  the  voters  of  the  constituency  on  phone    
• Conducted  by  all  India  and  NRI  volunteers  who  are  unable  to  commit  
time  to  the  campaign  full  time  or  can  work  from  home  
• For  setup  contact  Constituency  Support  Manager  at  Head  office.  
Bulk  SMS  facility   Use  the  bulk  SMS  facility  to  connect  with  AAP  members  in  your  constituency.    
Candidate  meeting     Ensure  that  the  candidate  meets  at  least  400-­‐500  people  per  day  individually.  
Twitter  via  SMS     Encourage  volunteers/voters  to  subscribe  to  AAM  AADMI  party/Arvind  Kejriwal  
tweets.  
Email/  SMS  Responses   All  emails/  SMS’s  received  from  citizens  or  voters  should  be  promptly  responded  
to.  
Last  day  campaigning     Specific  campaigns  have  to  be  run  to  create  awareness  of  the  poll  symbol.    
 
   12  
Campaign  Do’s  and  Don’ts  
 
Can  wear  ‘Aam  Aadmi’  caps,  batches,  scarfs/mufflers  

Cannot  distribute  Aam  Aadmi  T-­‐shirts,  calendar,  diary,  key  rings,  saree,  liquor,  money,  jhadu  (broom)  

Cannot  use  religious  places  &  educational  institutions  for  campaigning  

Cannot  make  a  speech  or  statement  hurting  religious  sentiments  

A   candidate   can   spend   Rs.70   lakhs   in   the       campaigning   for   Lok   Sabha     (except   Rs.54   lakhs   in   all   Union  
Territories,  Arunachal  Pradesh,  Goa  and  Sikkim)  

There   should   be   no   religious   place,   educational   institution,   hospital   or   polling   station   in   200   meters   radius  
of  the  party  office  

The  party  office  must  be  made  defunct  48  hours  before  day  of  election  

A  banner  can  be  put  at  the  party  office  of  not  more  than  4*8  feet  size    

Do  not  issue  identity  slips  bearing  your  name  or  your  symbol  or  the  name  of  your  party  or  containing  any  
exhortation  to  voters  to  vote  for  you  or  your  party.  
 
Don’t   make   any   gift   or   offer   or   promise   of   gratification   to   any   person   to   induce   another   to   stand,   vote,  
withrdraw  from  candidature  or  refrain  from  voting    
 
Don’t  make  use  of,  or  appeal  to,  religious  symbols  or  national  symbols  
 
Don’t  publish  false  or  negative  statements  in  regard  to  the  personal  character  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   13  
EC  Permission  Requirements  
 

Public  Meetings/  Ground  Campaign  

Holding  rallies/  jansabhas/  padyatras/  public  gatherings  [permission  from  municipal  corporation];  

Use  of  loudspeakers/  amplifiers/  bhopu  

Vehicles  

Use  of  vehicles  in  any  form  by  the  candidate  and  others.  No  upper  limit  on  number  of  vehicles  but  all  must  
be  registered  with  the  RTO  and  RO  

Making  announcements  from  auto  rickshaws  

Putting   stickers   on   auto   rickshaws   has   been   allowed   by   ECI.   However,   each   auto//taxi   driver   bearing   a  
sticker   on   his   vehicle   needs   to   carry   a   copy   of   the   ECI   Order   [can   be   found   on   the   Google   Drive   under  
“permission  forms”]  

Print  and  Digital  publicity  

All  publicity  content.  PLEASE  CHECK  SECTION  ON  PUBLICITY  FOR  DETAILS  

Call  and  SMS  campaigns  

TBC  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   14  
FAQs  on  Campaigning    
[as  sent  in  by  various  constituency  teams  in  Feb-­‐March  2014]    
 
Category   FAQ   Answers  
Permissions  in   Do   we   need   permission   For   a   meeting   in   private   complex   permissions   from  
private  spaces   from   EC/police   to   conduct   Police   or   EC   is   not   required.   As   per   MCC,   for   a  
an   interaction   with   private   meeting  in  a  private  building,  we  need  the  permission  
societies   or   in   private   or   consent   from   the   building   owners   /   society   /  
buildings   association   /   company   in   charge   of   the   building  
complex.  
It   is   desired   that   such   permission   /   consent   be  
received  and  kept  on  record  before  hand.  
 
Vehicles     How  many  vehicles  can  I  use   As  per  revised  EC  guidelines,  there  is  no  upper  limit  to  
during  campaigning     the   number   of   vehicles   used.   However   prior  
permissions  need  to  be  obtained  on  the  specific  event  
 
The   candidate   must   display   permit   issued   by  
Returning   Officer   in   original   (not   photocopy)  
prominently   on   the   windscreen   of   the   Vehicle.   The  
permit   must   bear   the   number   of   the   vehicle   and  
name  of  the  candidate  in  whose  favour  it  is  issued.  
 
Publicity   Is   wearing   of   special   Yes,   provided   they   are   accounted   for   in   the   election  
accessories   like   cap,   mask,   expenses   of   the   candidate   concerned.   However  
scarf   etc.   of   a   candidate   supply   and   distribution   of   main   apparels   like   saree,  
permitted   during   the   shirt,   etc.   by   party/candidate   is   not   permitted   as   it  
campaigning   may  amount  to  bribery  of  voters.  
 
Vehicles     Is   external   External   modification   of   vehicles   including   fitting   of  
fitting/modification   allowed   loudspeaker   there   on,   would   be   subject   to   the  
in  the  vehicles  used   provisions  of  the  Motor  Vehicles  Act  as  well  as  other  
for  campaigning?   Local   Act/Rules.   Vehicles   with   modifications   and  
special  campaign  vehicles  like  Video  Rath  etc.  can  be  
used   only   after   obtaining   the   requisite   permission  
from  the  RTO    
 
Vehicles     Whether   distribution   of   Yes,  it  amounts  to  bribing  voters    
printed  "Stepney  Covers"  or  
other   similar   material  
containing   symbol   of  
party/candidate   or   without  
depicting  it,  is  a  violation  
 
Nomination   How  many  vehicles  can  I  use   The  maximum  number  of  vehicles  that  will  be  allowed  
Filing     for  filing  of  nominations     to   come   within   the   periphery   of   100   mtrs   of  
Returning  Officer’s  office  has  been  restricted  to  3  .    
Voter  Slips     Whether   there   are   any   Yes.  The  unofficial  identity  slip,  on  white  paper,  shall  
guidelines  for  political   contain  only  the  particulars  of  the  voter  i.e,  name,  
parties/  candidates  for  issue   serial  number  of  voter,  part  no.in  the  electoral  roll,  
   15  
of  unofficial  identity  slips  to   s.no.  and  name  of  polling  Station  and  date  of  poll.  It  
Voters?   should  not  contain  the  name  of  candidate,  his  
photograph  and  symbol.  
 
Election  Booth   Is   it   necessary   to   obtain   Yes  
written   permission   of   the  
concerned   Government  
authorities   or   local  
authorities   for   setting   up   of  
election  booth?  
Nomination   How   many   persons   can   be   Maximum  number  of  persons  that  will  be  allowed  to  
Filing     present   at   the   nomination   enter  the  office  of  Returning  Officer  has  been  limited  
filing   to  5  (including  the  candidate).  
Nomination   How   many   persons   are   The  candidate,  his  election  agent,  one  Proposer  and  
Scrutiny   allowed   at   the   time   of   one  other  person  (who  can  be  an  advocate)  duly  
scrutiny   of   nominations   by   authorized  in  writing  by  the  candidate,  but  no  other  
the  Returning  Officer?   person,  may  attend  at  the  time  fixed  for  scrutiny  of  
nominations  by  Returning  Officer  
Advertisements   Do   we   need   to   take   EC   No,  we  do  not  need  to  take  approval  for  posting  ads  
on  social  media     approval   for   posting   ads   on   on  Facebook  /twitter.  Unless  it  is  a  paid  AD.  
Facebook/Twitter    
If  paid  ad,  then  there  are  guidelines  to  be  followed    
Volunteer   Can   volunteers   be   No   official   policy   on   this,   however   campaign  
expenditure   reimbursed   for   out   of   managers   can   reimburse   after   obtaining   proper  
pocket   expenses   like   snacks,   signed  vouchers  for  cash  payments.  Will  count  as  part  
telephone  &  travel  expenses     of  election  expenses.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   16  
D.  PUBLICITY  
 

Publicity  Templates  
 

[ALL  AVAILABLE  ON  THE  GOOGLE  DRIVE]  

 

1. Template  types:  Stickers,  Banners,  Posters,  Leaflets,  Streamers,  T-­‐shirts,  Bags,  Ponchos,  Topis,  
Invitation  cards,  Badges,  Flags.  Standardized  elements:  AAP  Leader  faces,  AAP  logo,  Jhadoo,  
color  palette,  layout  
2. The  Maharashtra  Publicity  Team  has  designed  all  publicity  templates.  Excluding  candidate  
photos  and  editing  message,  no  further  changes  are  permitted  before  printing.    
3. In  case  local  team  needs  to  include  any  new  template,  it  must  be  approved  by  the  Maharashtra  
Publicity  Team  
4. All  material  -­‐  of  any  size  or  shape  -­‐  must  ALWAYS  incorporate  basic  AAP  information  -­‐  including  
website,  FB,  helpline  and  local  party  office  address.  
5. When  pictures  are  used,  the  two/three  key  persons  (Arvind,  Mayank,  Anjali)  must  be  of  the  
same  size.  When  a  local  convener/face  is  added  that  can  be  smaller.  
6. Banners  should  be  only  used  for  promoting  the  Party.  Banners/Posters  should  be  displayed  at  
places  authorized  by  the  responsible  administration,  after  taking  permission  from  respective  
authorities.  Banners  containing  birthday  wishes,  congratulatory  wishes  or  any  personal  
greetings  are  STRICTLY  NOT  ALLOWED.  
7. As  per  State  Executive  resolution  you  are  allowed  to  carry  photos  of  National  Convener  and  
State  Convener.  A  District  or  Block  Committee  can  choose  to  have  one  or  maximum  two  more  
photographs  as  approved  in  a  resolution  of  the  respective  committee.  
8. On  religious  occasions,  festivals  and  other  celebrations  do  not  use  photos  of  any  persons  from  
the  party.  Make  dignified  simple  banners  that  convey  wishes  to  the  citizens  without  using  too  
many  religious  emblems.  

 
   17  
Vendors  for  publicity  material  
 

• Selection  of  vendors  should  be  on  cost  basis.  At  least  two  vendors  should  be  developed  with  a  
turnaround  time  of  24  hours.  
• Orders  can  be  placed  the  Maharashtra  Publicity  Team  [contact  details  and  quotes  on  vendors  on  
Google  Drive]  
• Taking  delivery  of  any  material  printed  by  Maharashtra  Publicity  Team  will  be  the  responsibility  of  
the  person  making  the  request.  In  case,  the  material  has  to  be  sent  by  us,  the  cost  of  it  should  
either  be  borne  by  the  district  or  the  said  amount  must  be  sanctioned  in  advance  by  the  Finance  
Committee.  If  the  publicity  material  has  to  be  printed  by  the  Mumbai  office,  it  should  be  made  clear  
on  the  e-­‐mail  as  to  who  is  paying  for  it.  If  the  Mumbai  office  has  to  bear  the  cost,  there  must  be  a  
clear  approval  on  email.  

 
 

Permission  for  publicity  material  from  the  Chief  Electoral  Officer  

 

• As  per  the  Election  Model  Code  of  Conduct,  all  printing  material  has  to  contain:
a)  Name  and  code  of  printer  
b)  Quantity  of  material  printed  and  size  (total  no  of  copies  mustn’t  exceed  10,000)  
c)  Name  and  date  of  the  event    

• In   case   of   publishing,   a   declaration   as   to   the   identity   of   the   publisher   is   to   be   sent   to   the   printer  
signed   by   publisher   and   attested   by   2   persons   personally   known   to   him.   Copy   of   the   declaration  
and  the  document  should  be  sent  by  the  printer  to  the  CEO/District  Magistrate  as  per  location    

• As  per  the  Code  of  Conduct,  the  printer  has  to  submit  four  copies  of  the  material  printed  to  the  
EC/CEC  and  receive  a  receipt  prior  to  any  printing  [form  formats  on  Google  Drive  as  well  as  on  
national  party  website  -­‐  http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/2014-­‐elections-­‐proformas-­‐guidelines-­‐
for-­‐permissions]  
 

 
   18  
Contacting  the  Maharashtra  Publicity  Team  
 

All  permissions  and  order  requests  for  promotional  material  -­‐  either  creative  or  ready  materials  -­‐  must  be  
sent  by  e-­‐mail  to  publicity@aapmaharashtra.org  (with  a  cc  to  your  Constituency  Support  Manager)  clearly  
specifying  purpose,  quantity,  timeframe,  and  payee  details.  

 
Media  Guidelines  
 

• All  messages  must  adhere  to  party  stand  and  philosophy,  and  must  be  consistent  with  those  
expressed  by  party  spokespersons  
• Mass  Media  deals  will  be  done  statewide  or  nationally  e.g.  Radio  
• Media  such  as  cable,  hoardings,  and  cinema  can  be  negotiated  locally  
• All  press  releases  forwarded  by  the  AAP  State  or  National  teams  must  be  distributed  to  local  media  
in  multiple  languages    
• All  local  press  coverage,  notes,  etc.  need  to  be  sent  to  news@aapmaharashtra.org  so  as  to  upload  
on  to  your  social  media  pages  
• Local  press  conferences  need  approval  from  State  Secretary  
• There  is  a  list  of  officially  appointed  AAP  spokespersons  available  on  the  national  party  website  
• Appearing  on  any  national  channel  (Hindi/  English)  requires  approval  from  Delhi  
• AAP  does  now  allow  its  members  to  appear  on  Zee  News  and  India  News,  and  discourages  the  same  
for  Times  Now  
• All  Marathi  channels  are  permitted.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   19  
SOCIAL  MEDIA  
 

Do’s  and  Don’ts  on  Social  Media  

 
Do’s:    
• Facebook  and  Twitter  is  a  must  for  all  candidates  
• Social  Media  Coordinator  should  maintain  a  template  of  all  images  of  the  candidate,  which  includes  
mandatorily  all  the  digital  properties  of  AAP  like  Facebook  account,  Twitter  account  
• Specific   campaigns   to   be   conducted   to   generate   awareness   in   the   constituency   on   the   social   media  
accounts  and  encouraging  people  to  join  them.    
• Issues  in  the  area  should  be  discussed  and  party  response  should  be  provided  on  Twitter/Facebook  
on  a  regular  basis    
• Candidate  should  try  and  answer  all  the  relevant  questions  raised  by  constituents  through  this  
media  
• Party   activities   like   agitations,   protests,   public   meetings,   flag   marches,   etc.   should   be   publicized  
before  the  event  and  photos  should  be  shared  after  the  event  
• Message  from  AAP  senior  members  should  be  shared  but  abstain  from  using  the  word  ‘leader’  
• Party   policies   like   Swaraj,   non-­‐violence,   non-­‐communalism,   public   participation,   etc.   should   be  
shared  and  propagated  
• The  party  has  been  born  out  of  an  anti-­‐corruption  stance  and  thus  we  should  always  give  space  to  
anti-­‐corruption  posts  
• Posts  of  main  AAP  page  or  FWAC  page  can  be  shared  on  local  pages  

 
Don’ts:    
• A  post  whose  reliability  and  authenticity  has  not  been  established  should  not  be  shared  
• Self-­‐promotion  is  very  negative  for  the  party.  Comparison  of  any  person  with  long  time  icons  like  
Bhagat  Singh  or  Mahatma  Gandhi  should  not  be  done  from  official  pages  or  handles  
• One  should  not  get  involved  in  debates  from  official  AAP  IDs  or  on  posts  on  pages  
• When  not  clear  of  party’s  stand  wait  for  national  page  to  post  on  the  issue  or  ask  state/Loksabha    
• No  derogatory  messages  or  personal  comments  in  any  form  should  be  posted  

 
 
 
   20  
Election  Laws  around  Electronic  and  Social  Media  Advertisements  
 
 
 
Types  of  ads  that  qualify:  Every  registered/national  and  State  political  party  and  every  contesting  
candidate  proposing  to  issue  advertisements  on  television  channels  and/  or  on  cable  network/social  media  
websites  will  have  to  apply  to  Election  Commission  of  India/designated  officer  for  pre-­‐certification  of  all  
political  advertisements  on  electronic  media  before  the  publication.    
 
 
What  to  submit:  The  prescribed  form  must  be  filled  in  and  submitted  to  the  RO  of  the  constituency  in  case  
the  ads  are  by  individual  candidates,  or  else  to  the  Chief  Electoral  Officer  of  State/Union  Territory  if  by  the  
political  party.  
The  form  [available  on  Google  Drive]  must  be  accompanied  by:  
 
• Two  copies  of  the  proposed  advertisement  in  the  electronic  form  along  with  a  duly  attested  
transcript    
 
 
Account  for  its  expense:  This  shall  include  payments  made  to  internet  companies  and  websites  for  carrying  
advertisements  and  also  campaign  related  operational  expenditure  on  making  of  creative  development  of  
content,  operational  expenditure  on  salaries  and  wages  paid  to  the  team  of  workers  employed  by  such  
candidates  and  political  parties  to  maintain  their  social  media  accounts,  etc.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   21  
E.  INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY  (IT)  
 

Website  

• State  team  will  provide  the  domain  

• Template  must  be  consistent,  inline  with  national/state  website  
• No  state  and/or  district  local  database  of  members/donors  
• Redirect  to  national  donation  link.  No  local  payment  gateway  allowed.  
• Redirect  to  national  members  registration  form.  No    local  online  registration  form.  
• Use  local  content  and  events  to  keep  your  website  updated.  
• The  convention,  ideology,  vision  to  remain  as  is  from  national  website.  

Database  Management  

 IT  Coordinator  to  manage  volunteer  and  member  data  software  [“Work121”].  

Login  permission  for  this  will  be  provided  to  the  IT  coordinator  by  the  State  IT  Admin.  

Modes  of  communication  

 Bulk  SMS;  Emails;  Broadcast  (Whatsapp,  calls,  etc.)  

• Keep  the  communication  decentralized  for  area  specific  activities  

• Have  centralized  communication  team  for  District/  constituency  activities  
• Headed  by  IT  coordinator  
• Follow  all  TRAI  regulation  
• Can  send  bulk  SMS,  voice  calls,  and  OBD  through  ‘Work121’  

 
Receiving  calls  

• For  Every  constituency  a  dedicated  number  is  provided  (SIM  card  to  be  collected  from  Mumbai  
Head  Office)  
• Publish  only  this  number  on  your  publicity  material  
• Every  person  who  calls  on  this  number  will  be  diverted  to  3  persons  of  the  candidate  choice  
•  If  the  call  volume  is  high,  then  this  can  be  shared  with  4  or  more  people  
 

Other  outreach  methods  

• Calling  Campaign  
• SMS  Campaign  
• OBD  (Outbound  Dialer)  
• IVR  Helpline  

For  vendors  and  costs  for  above  services  please  contact  AAP  Mumbai  Office.  
   22  
F.  FINANCE  
 
 
PROCESS  FOR  SETTING-­‐UP  BANK  ACCOUNT  
 
THERE  WILL  BE  TWO  BANK  ACCOUNTS  PER  CONSTITUENCY:  A)  Party  Account  B)  Candidate  Account  
 
 
(A)  PARTY  ACCOUNT  FOR  THE  CONSTITUENCY  (IDBI  Bank)  
 
• Prior  to  filling  for  nomination  the  candidate  will  use  this  account  for  all  campaign  funds.  
• This  account  is  100%  tax  exempted.  
• The  name  of  this  account  will  be  (e.g.  Jalna):  “Aam  Aadmi  Party  –  Jalna  Lok  Sabha”  
 
 
Process:  
 
1. à  Candidate  to  send  a  resolution  letter  [available  on  Google  Drive  under  ‘Finance’]  to  AAP  State  
Executive  Committee  with  names  of  3  signatories,  details  of  the  their  respective  KYC  documents  
filled  on  the  letter  format,  and  signatures.  This  letter  is  to  be  scanned  and  sent  to  
shyampammi@gmail.com  with  a  cc  marked  to  the  Constituency  Support  Manager.  
à  Along  with  this  to  send  scanned  copies  of  original  KYC  documents  and  scanned  copies  of  2  
passport  size  photos.  
à  Please  also  mention  the  address  of  your  preferred  local  IDBI  branch  [choose  from  list  of  IDBI  
branches  to  be  found  in  the  Google  Drive]  
 
2. A  National  Executive  resolution  will  then  be  sent  back  to  the  candidate  from  the  AAP  Delhi  office.  
The  candidate  is  to  take  a  print  out  of  this,  and  along  with  the  original  KYC  documents  and  
photographs  to  submit  it  to  their  local  IDBI  branch.  On  addition  of  the  signatories  the  account  will  
be  open  and  ready  to  operationalize.  
 
3. The  cheque  books  will  be  delivered  to  the  candidate  from  Delhi  as  opposed  to  collecting  it  from  the  
local  branch.  
 
*  Until  this  process  is  completed  the  candidate  can  collect  checks  in  the  name  of  the  AAP  Maharashtra  
bank  account  and  mention  their  constituency  name  at  the  back  of  the  cheque,  or  they  may  hold  it  with  
themselves  until  the  account  is  ready.  Expenses  until  then  if  spent  from  the  candidates  pocket  the  
candidate  should  maintain  receipts  for  these  which  will  be  reimbursed  by  the  AAP  Maharashtra  account.  
 
   23  
 
(B)  INDIVIDUAL  CANDIDATE  ACCOUNT  
 
 
• This  account  is  to  be  opened  no  more  than  15  days  and  no  less  than  one  day  prior  to  filing  for  
nomination.  
• The  bank  Account  can  be  opened  either  in  the  name  of  the  candidate  or  in  the  joint  name  with  his  
election  agent.  The  bank  account  should  not  be  opened  in  the  joint  name  with  any  family  member  
of  the  candidate  or  any  other  person,  if  he/she  is  not  the  election  agent  of  the  candidate.  
• This  account  is  NOT  tax  exempted,  hence  no  donations  are  to  be  accepted  into  this  account.  On  
opening  this  needs  to  a  completely  fresh  account,  and  to  be  treated  as  an  expenditure  account  
(from  the  date  of  nomination  to  the  date  of  result  declaration,  both  dates  included)  through  which  
the  Election  Commission  can  keep  track  of  the  candidates  campaign  expenses.  
• The  expenditure  limit  for  Lok  Sabha  candidates  for  the  2014  elections  is  Rs.70  lakh.  
• This  account  may  be  opened  at  any  bank  convenient  for  the  candidate.  
• The  money  transferred  from  the  party  account  into  the  candidate  account  once  opened  will  be  
counted  as  a  grant  and  will  not  be  taxed.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   24  
FAQs  on  Bank  Accounts  

Election       How   will   the   candidate   The   candidate   can   use   the   constituency   based  
Expense   manage   campaign   expenses   account  for  meeting  campaign  expenses.  
prior  to  opening    
All   funds   donated   online   of   AAP   National   website  
mentioning   specifically   the   constituency   will   be  
transferred  into  the  AAP  constituency  account  
 
All   funds   donated   on   AAP   Maharashtra   offices   with  
mention   of   the   specific   constituency   will   be  
transferred  into  the  AAP  constituency  account  
Account  opening   Which   is   the   bank   to   open   All   constituency   accounts   have   to   be   mandatorily  
the   constituency   account   opened  at  IDBI  bank  ltd.    All  candidate  accounts  
and  the  candidate    account   can  be  opened  at  the  banks  of  their  choice.  
Election       Is   the   expenses   from   the   Expenses   only   count   from   the   day   of   filing   for  
Expense     constituency   party   account   nomination  from  the  candidate  account.  As  a  practice  
included   in   the   overall   should   avoid   using   the   constituency   account   for  
expenses   limit   of   the   incurring  expenses.    
candidate  once  Model  Code  
of  Conduct  is  announced   Any   expense   incurred   from   constituency   account  
after   Model   Code   of   Conduct   announcement   but  
prior   to   filing   of   nomination   will   not   be   included   in  
the  candidate  expense  limit.    

 
Cash  payments     Can   we   make   cash   As   far   as   possible   all   payments   should   be   made  
payments   to   meet   our   through  an  account  pay  check.  Try  and  avoid  all  cash  
expenses   payments  no  matter  how  small.  
 
In  cases  where  you  absolutely  have  to  pay  cash,  make  
sure   to   take   a   pucca   bill.   In   situations   where   where  
you   cannot   get   a   pucca   bill,   write   down   the  
service/product   details,   name   of   recipient,   address,  
and  his/her  signature  or  thumbprint.  
       
Once  nominations  have  been  filed,  no  cash  payment  
above  Rs.20,000  is  allowed.  
Foreign  funding   What   are   the   norms   to   be   1.  No  Foreign  funding  of  any  sort  is  permitted    
followed   in   case   of   Foreign    
donations     2.  If  an  overseas  citizen  with  an  Indian  passport  would  
like  to  make  a  donation  then  they  should  do  it  online  
as   there   is   a   mechanism   to   keep   record   of   passport  
details.  
 
3.  The  AAP  or  candidate  bank  account  details  should  
not   be   shared,   and   all   donations   should   be   taken   by  
cheque  as  far  as  possible.  
 
 
   25  
ACCOUNTING  ELECTION  EXPENDITURE  
 
A   SEPARATE   SET   OF   GUIDELINES   “Handbook   on   Financial   Guidelines”   HAS   BEEN  
PROVIDED  FOR  THIS.  
 

Please  that  the  following  list  of  specimen  books,  registers,  and  documents  are  available  on  the  Google  Drive  
under  the  ‘Finance’  folder:  

GOOGLE  DRIVE

Books  of  Account-­‐  

1.    Cash  book  
2.  Bank  Book  
3.  Journal  Book  
4.  Ledger  
 
Register-­‐  
1.  Fixed  Assets  Register  
2.  Fixed  Assets  Physical  Verification  Register  
 
Specimen  Documents-­‐  
1.  Acknowledgement  for  Donation  in  Kind  
2.  Chadar  Donation  –  Cash  Counting  Sheet  
3.  Donation  receipt  (Publicity  Material)  
4.  Expenses  Claim  Sheet    
5.  Inter-­‐unit  Publicity  Material  Transfer  memo    
6.  Specimen  of  Stamps    
7.  Specimen  of  Voucher(s)  
 
Specimen  Reporting  Formats-­‐  
1.  Form  24A  (Rule  85B,  Conduct  of  Election  Rules,  1961)  
2.  Certificate  form  Contributor  Company  (under  Section  293A  of  Comapnies  Act)  
Specimen  Guidelines-­‐  
1.  Donation  Receipt  -­‐    How  to  Fill  
2.  Fund  Receipt  Books  -­‐  Management  and  Consequences  of  Mis-­‐handling  
3.  Swipe  Machine  –  User  Guideline  
4.  Exemption  to  donor  under  Income  Tax  Laws  
 
Specimen  Financial  Statements  (FS)  -­‐  
1.  Annual  FS  Applicable  to  State  Unit  in  the-­‐  
     -­‐Year  of    Formation  
     -­‐Subsequent  Year  
2.  Annual  FS  Applicable  to  District  Unit  in  the-­‐  
     -­‐  Year  of  Formation  
     -­‐Subsequent  Year  
3.  Quarterly  FS  
 

 
   26  
FUND-­‐RAISING  
 
 
1) Whom  can  you  take  money  from?  
>  Donor  shall  be  an  Indian  citizen  either  living  in  India  or  abroad  (only  NRIs  with  Valid  Indian  passport  –  
so  OCIs/PIOs  are  not  eligible).  Only,  people  who  hold  Indian  Citizenship  can  donate  as  per  Indian  law.    
NOTE:  People,  who  do  not  hold  Indian  Citizenship,  can  still  contribute  by  working  as  volunteer  for  the  
party.    
>  Indian  companies  (and  electoral  trusts)  can  also  donate  funds  provided  they  are  not  subsidiaries  of  
foreign  companies  –  for  electoral  trusts  please  take  a  pre-­‐approval    
>  We  cannot  accept  donation  from  NGOs  
>  The  donation  given  to  AAP  by  way  of  cheque  is  exempt  (100%)  under  Income  Tax  Act  1961,  u/s  
80GGB/80GGC  
 
2) What  are  the  precautions  you  should  observe?  
>  We  are  accepting  cash  only  upto  Rs.10,000  (total  within  a  financial  year)  and  with  a  proper  receipt    
>  For  donations  above  Rs.20,000  PAN  is  a  must    
>  We  should  never  give  the  account  number  to  the  donor.    
 
>  People  may  try  to  lure  us  by  promising  large  sums  in  cash  or  get  us  into  a  discussion  where  they  come  
up  with  various  devious  /  crooked  schemes  of  donating  –  please  avoid  such  discussions  altogether.  
Whatever  funds  we  raise  must  be  through  transparent  means  and  every  sum  would  get  reported.  
Please  be  conscious  that  vested  interest  may  even  try  doing  a  sting  operation  on  us  and  hence  we  
should  be  very  careful  of  what  we  say  and  what  we  do.  Hence  it’s  best  to  stick  to  the  standard  and  
simple  principles  AAP  follows  with  respect  to  donation.  
 
3) What  are  the  modes  of  donation?  
a. Cash  (upto  Rs.10,000  and  backed  by  a  proper  receipt)  
b. Cheque    
c. Online  donation:  one  can  donate  through  a  credit  card,  debit  card  or  net-­‐banking  
Link  for  online  donation    https://donate.aamaadmiparty.org/  
d. Demand  Draft  (p.s.  NEFT  is  not  possible  as  it  requires  the  account  number)    
e. Swipe  Machine    
f. Mobile  Phones  *    
 
4) Types  of  receipts    
a. Physical  receipts      
b. Online  receipts    
c. Mobile  receipts  –  this  has  been  recently  launched.  Please  note  that  it  works  on  Smartphones  
only.  A  presentation  on  how  to  register  and  how  to  generate  receipts  will  be  emailed  to  you  
separately.  The  presently  is  lengthy  but  very  easy  to  read  –  would  not  take  you  no  more  than  10  
minutes.    
 
5) Fund-­‐raising  strategy    
>  It  is  important  to  have  a  dedicated  team  for  fund-­‐raising.    
>  Have  one  contact  point  in  the  team  with  whom  the  central  teams  can  liaise  with.  Also  provide  for  
runner-­‐boys  who  can  move  around  in  public  transport  for  cheque  pick-­‐ups      
   27  
>  Decide  on  a  budget  you  are  targeting  –  both  for  donation  by  way  of  funds  and  by  way  of  kind  (for  
latter  see  point  below)    
 
>  You  need  to  adopt  multiple  strategies  for  raising  funds:  
• Prepaid  fund-­‐raisers  meets    with  the  candidate    
o Plan  for  2  such  events  per  week.    
o Instead  of  an  elaborate  dinner,  this  can  be  organized  as  “coffee  with  the  candidate”    
• Crowd  sourcing  –  door-­‐to-­‐door  campaigns,  volunteers  with  donation  boxes  on  key  intersections  
&  key  market  areas    
• HNIs    
o Identify  &  prepare  a  list  of  HNIs  in  your  constituency  –  leading  doctors,  businessmen,  
CAs,  Sr.  Corporate  employees,  celebrities  
o Meet  them  individually  through  references  or  by  simply  calling  up  and  taking  an  
appointment    
• I  Fuel  Swaraj  http://ifuelswaraj.org/  
o Recruit  sympathizers  (who  want  to  support  but  can’t  give  time)  as  IFS  volunteers    
• Adopt  a  Constituency  –  a  celebrity  (a  well  known  personality  in  your  constituency)  who  is  
willing  to  endorse  AAP  and  /  or  the  candidate  can  be  asked  to  “Adopt  the  Constituency”  –  one  
can  expect  his/her  followers  to  contribute  funds.    
 
 
6) Donation  in  Kind    
Prepare  a  budget  of  what  all  is  needed  for  campaigning  –  cars,  computers/laptops,  printers,  offices,  
furniture  etc  –  and  put  it  up  on  notice  boards,  Facebook  page  etc.  For  all  such  donation  receipts  are  
issued  -­‐  there  are  separate  receipt  books  available.    
   
 
*  Mode  of  donation  through  Mobile  Phones  

                                                                     
 
Airtel  Money:  Airtel  subscribers  can  make  a  donation  through  Airtel  Money.  Load  your  account  with  
money,  and  then  enter  *400*3*6#  and  see  a  list  of  organizations  you  can  donate  money  to.  Select  Aam  
Aadmi  Party,  enter  the  amount  you  wish  to  donate  and  enter  M  Pin.  Enter  your  name,  city  and  mobile  
number.  Confirm  that  you  are  an  Indian  citizen  and  your  donation  will  be  made.  You  will  receive  a  receipt  
on  Airtel  Money  itself,  and  you  can  use  this  transaction  ID  to  track  your  donation  on  the  Aam  Aadmi  Party  
donation  website  http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/donation-­‐list.    
 
Vodafone  M  Pesa:  Vodafone  subscribers  can  make  a  donation  through  Vodafone  M  Pesa  .  Make  sure  you  
have  adequate  balance  in  your  m  pesa  account.  In  the  main  menu  select  Bill  Payment  and  then  Donation  in  
the  sub  menu.  Under  Donation,  you  will  see  the  Aam  Aadmi  Party  listed.  Enter  amount,  enter  m  PIN  and  
give  your  name,  city  and  mobile  number.  Also  confirm  that  you  are  an  Indian  citizen.  You  will  get  a  receipt  
on  m  pesa  regarding  your  donation  to  the  aam  Aadmi  Party,  with  a  transaction  number.  You  can  use  this  
transaction  number  to  view  your  donation  on  the  Aam  Aadm  Party  website  
http://www.aamaadmiparty.org/donation-­‐list.  
   28  
G.  LEGAL  
 
 
LAW  OF  ELECTIONS  
 
 
Relevant  Legislations  
 
i. The  Constitution  of  India,  1950  
ii. The  Representation  of  the  People  Act,  1950  
iii. The  Representation  of  the  People  Act,  1951  
iv. The  Delimitation  Act,  2002  
v. The  Election  Commission  (Conditions  of  Service  of  Election  Commissioners  and  Transaction  of  
Business)  Act,  1991  
vi. The  Indian  Penal  Code,  1860  (Selected  Relevant  Provisions)  
vii. The  Parliament  (Prevention  of  Disqualification)  Act,  1959  
viii. The  Presidential  and  Vice-­‐Presidential  Elections  Act,  1952  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   29  
MAHARASHTRA  LEGAL  CELL  
 
CONTACT  
 
Please  copy  to  both  emails:   Helpline  No.:  7718812053  
mlcsantvana@gmail.com;  legalcell@aapmaharashtra.org    
 
 
LEGAL  CELL  GUIDELINES  
 
 
Legal   Support   to   AAP   Candidate:   Legal   support   will   not   be   provided   to   any   AAP   Candidate   if   he   or   she  
disobeys  any  of  the  principles,  guidelines,  instructions,  code  of  conduct  or  order  issued  by  AAP  in  written  
form  or  otherwise  or  the  law  of  the  land  (“AAP  Code”).  Any  breach  of  the  AAP  Code  by  any  AAP  Candidate  
would   invite   immediate   and   strictest   disciplinary   action   and   would   not   be   tolerated   in   more   than   [3]  
instances.  
 
Approval  from  State  Legal  Cell:  Every  AAP  Candidate  shall  first  communicate  all  comments  or  information  
relating  to  any  scam,  crime,  misconduct  to  the  State  Legal  Cell  for  approval.  No  AAP  Candidate  shall  make  
any   public   statement   or   remark   with   respect   to   any   criminal   activity,   scam,   misconduct   without   first  
seeking  approval  of  the  State  Legal  Cell.  Every  AAP  Candidate  shall  seek  prior  approval  from  the  State  Legal  
Cell  with  respect  to  the  key  campaign  topics  and  poll  agenda  before  making  any  public  statement  in  that  
regard.  
 
Monitoring  Volunteer  Activity:  Every  AAP  Candidate  and  his  teams  shall  at  all  times  maintain  records  with  
respect   to   the   details   of   the   Volunteers   working   under   them   and   constantly   monitor   the   activities   and  
conduct   of   the   Volunteers.   Legal   support   will   not   be   provided   in   case   of   arrest   or   protest   if   the   committee  
cannot  identify  their  volunteers.    
 
Naming   AAP   in   legal   matters:  No  AAP  Candidate  shall  file  any  legal  case  in  police  station  or  court  using  
AAP  name  and  the  same  can  be  filed  only  under  their  individual  name.  
 
Public   Permission:   After   obtaining   the   relevant   approval,   a   copy   of   any   public   protest,   campaign,  
hoardings,  and  other  schedule  shall  be  sent  to  the  State  office.    
 
Citizen  Grievance:  All  public  complaints  received  shall  be  noted  in  writing  with  supporting  documents  in  a  
designated  register  /  folder  and  sent  to  the  AAP  Mumbai  Head  Office.  
 

NOTE  ON  COLLECTOR’S  OFFICE  

Please  visit  your  constituency's  district  collector's  office  and  get  contacts  for  the  DEO  and  RO  and  the  
person(s)  in-­‐charge  for  monitoring  election  expenditure  and  media  permissions.  Build  a  relationship  with  
them.  These  are  the  people  whom  you  will  be  meeting  and  needing  throughout  the  campaign  period.  The  
Legal  Cell  is  in  touch  with  the  District  Election  Officer  at  South  Mumbai  and  State  Chief  Election  Office  and  
can  provide  assistance  at  these  locations.  
   30  
HOW  TO  FILE  FOR  NOMINATION  
 
 
I.  Set-­‐up  Candidate  Bank  Account:    
Ensure  candidate  bank  account  has  been  opened  (at  least  one  day  prior  to  date  of  filing  nomination)    
 
 
II.  Where  to  get  the  Forms:  
There  are  5  forms  in  total.  
Forms  1,  2,  3  will  be  given  by  the  RO.  Forms  4  and  5  will  be  sent  by  the  Delhi  AAP  office.  Collect  nomination  forms  
from  RO  office  on  day  of  issue  of  notification  (see  page  5).  Please  note,  the  nomination  forms  have  to  be  collected  
from  RO  office  on  this  day  only  -­‐  they  will  not  be  available  beforehand.  
 
 
III.  Filling  in  the  forms:  
 
Form     1.  Nomination   2.  Affidavit  papers   3.  Oath  form   4.  Form  A   5.  Form  B  
Papers  (Form2A)   (Form  26)  
 
What  is  it?   Personal  details;   To  fill  in  details   Form  to  attest   To  request  the   To  say  that  
  ‘broom’  symbol;  30   about  your   truth  of   election   you  are  a  
proposers   criminal  and   information   symbol     candidate  
financial   provided  by   from  Aam  
background   candidate   Aadmi  Party  
 
 
(1) Nomination  Papers  -­‐  Form2A  
 
§ Fill  the  Nomination  Papers:  Form  2a  in  consultation  with  your  legal  advisor  and  CA.  
 
§ In  Part3  of  Form  2A,  candidates  must  fill  in  (b)(ii)  and  write  the  symbol  as  ‘broom’  in  preference  and  ensure  NA  
is  ticked  on  the  second,  and  third  preference  boxes  
 
§ It  is  mandatory  for  the  proposers  to  sign  beside  their  names.  In  case  of  proposers  who  are  illiterate  persons,  
their  thumb  impression  has  to  be  attested  by  the  RO  or  an  officer  authorized  by  ECI.  
 
§ Each  candidate  is  requested  to  submit  3  sets  of  Nomination  Forms  i.e.  Form  2A  (only  Nomination  Form,  all  
remaining  four  documents  only  1  copy  required)  with  different  sets  of  proposers.  Each  set  will  need  10  
proposers  for  each  form,  hence  there  will  be  30  proposers  in  total.  Only  one  deposit  is  required.    
 
§ It  would  be  best  to  get  the  electoral  certificate  of  each  proposer  to  ensure  that  serial  number  and  part  number  
is  correct  
 
§ All  nomination  forms  and  related  documents  can  be  typed  written  or  should  be  filled  in  only  in  Blue  Ink.  SIGN  
MUST  BE  IN  BLUE  INK.    
 
 
(2) Affidavit  papers  -­‐  Form  26  
 
§ Prepare  Affidavit:  Form  26  -­‐  affidavit  is  sworn  before  the  oath  commissioner/first  class  magistrate/  Notary  
Public  
 
§ Provide  Oath/Affirmation  at  the  time  of  filing  
 
   31  
(3) Oath  form  
 
§ Will  be  given  by  RO    
 
§ To  be  submitted  at  the  time  of  taking  the  oath  in  front  of  the  RO  while  submitting  all  other  documents  
 
 
(4) &  (5)    Form  A  and  Form  B  
 
§ Both  these  will  be  sent  by  the  Delhi  AAP  Executive  to  your  candidate  (via  Maharashtra  State  Executive).  
These  will  be  sent  in  time  for  your  nomination  filing  dates.  The  Delhi  team  will  call  your  candidate  and  ask  
for  the  following  information:  
 
i. Candidate’s  exact  name  as  on  electoral  roll  
ii. Name  of  Father/Husband/Mother  
iii. Postal  address  
 
§ It  is  advised  that  candidates  give  an  extract  of  their  name  from  the  electoral  roll  (mandatory  if  candidate  is  
an  elector  of  a  different  constituency)  
 
§ Please  provide  Copy  of  caste  certificate  from  competent  authority,  if  the  candidate  claims  to  belong  to  
SC/ST)  
 
 
 
IV.  Once  you  have  filled  in  the  forms:  
 
§ PLEASE  SCAN  AND  SEND  A  COPY  OF  ALL  DOCUMENTS  TO  mlcsantvana@gmail.com  FOR  SCRUTINY.  WE  WILL  
REVERT  TO  YOU  THE  SAME  DAY  
 
§ The  forms  then  need  to  be  submitted  by  the  candidate  to  the  district  RO  latest  by  3:00  Pm  on  the  22nd  
march.    Forms  will  be  accepted  by  ROs  between  11:00  AM  -­‐  3:00  PM  from  15th-­‐22nd  March  
 
§ Nomination  can  be  filed  only  by  candidate  or  any  of  the  proposers.  Cannot  be  sent  by  post  or  filed  through  
any  other  person.  
 
§ When  you  file  your  nomination,  please  take  Certified  Electoral  Copy  which  is  provided  by  RO  
 

V.  Once  papers  have  been  submitted:  

Scrutiny  of  the  nomination  

§ Maximum  4  people  to  be  present  during  scrutiny:  Candidate,  Election  Agent,  Proposer,  and  a  fourth  person  
who  should  preferably  be  an  advocate.    
§ If  objection  rose  during  the  scrutiny  either  by  the  RO  or  other  candidates,  argue  it  forcibly  
§ No   nomination   shall   be   rejected   on   the   frivolous   ground;   it   shall   only   be   rejected   if   the   mistake   is   of  
substantial  one.  
 
 

 
   32  
 

H.  ELECTION  DAY  
 

POLLING  DAY  
 
§ Appointment   of   Booth   agents   on   each   booth.   Booth   agents   appointed   shall   be   a   voter   of   same  
polling  station.  

§ Putting  table  outside  the  each  polling  station  with  the  voter  list  obtained  from  the  RO.  

§ Setting  up  of  one  helpline  for  troubleshooting.  

§ In   case   booth   capturing   or   violence   at   a   particular   booth,   give   a   written   complaint   to   RO/   DEO/  
Sectoral  Magistrate.  

§ Candidate  and  his  election  agent  are  allowed  to  visit  the  polling  booth.  

§ Candidate  and  his  election  agent  are  allowed  to  use  vehicle  during  the  day  of  the  poll  with  the  prior  
permission  of  RO.  

§ Transportation  of  the  voters  is  prohibited.  

§ Please  avoid  any  kind  of  slogan  shouting  and  march/rally  during  the  day  of  polling.  

§ Other  than  the  voters  no  one  is  allowed  within  200  mtrs  of  the  polling  booth.  

 
 
COUNTING  DAY  
 
§ Appointment  of  the  counting  agent  by  filling  the  prescribed  form  before  the  RO  

§ Maximum  of  16  counting  agents  are  allowed  in  each  counting  stations.  

§ Candidate  and  his/  her  election  agents  are  allowed.  

§ If  the  margin  is  less,  immediately  raise  objection  and  recounting.    

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   33  
 
List  of  items  on  Google  Drive:  “AAP  MAHARASHTRA”  
 
DOOR-­‐TO-­‐DOOR  KIT   § Door-­‐to-­‐door  note  
§ List  of  kit  contents  
§ Permission  forms  
§ ID  card  format  
§ Pamphlets  (English/  Hindi/  Marathi)  
§ Excel  sheet  fill-­‐up  form  
§ Volunteer  ethics  
 
FAQS   § Short  FAQs  
§ Long  FAQs  
 
FINANCE   § Handbook  on  Financial  Guidelines  
§ Expanded  note  on  election  expenses  
§ List  of  IDBI  branches  
§ Signatories  letter  format  to  State  Executive  
§ All  voucher,  receipt,  donation  forms/  formats,  80GGB/GGC  certificate,  etc.  
 
PUBLICITY/  SOCIAL   § Open  files  for  design  templates  
MEDIA/  IT   § Summary  PPTs  
§ Vendors  quotes  
§ Social  media  approval  form  
§ Print  publicity  approval  form  
§ How  to  use  note  for  ‘Work121’  –  volunteer  database  software  
 
LEGAL   § Law  of  elections  
§ Criteria  for  disqualification  
§ Sample  nomination  form  (filled)  
§ Nomination  filing  dates  
§ Model  Code  of  Conduct  (English  &  Marathi)  
 
PERMISSION  FORMS   § NOC  for  Jan  Sabha  
§ NOC  for  door-­‐to-­‐door  campaigning  
§ NOC  for  playground/public  space  gatherings  
§ Intimation  letter  to  police  
§ Intimation  letter  to  traffic  police  
§ Social  media  approval  form  
§ Print  publicity  approval  form  
 
VOLUNTEER   § How  to  use  note  for  ‘Work121’  –  volunteer  database  software  
MANAGEMENT  
 
IMPORTANT   § Constituency  analysis  files  
DOCUMENTS/   § Press  releases  
INFORMATION   § AAP  Contact  List  
§ List  of  Constituency  Support  Managers  
§ List  of  useful  websites  
§ Important  EC  documents  
§ Model  Code  of  Conduct  (English  &  Marathi)  
 
   34  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
END.