- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Sat, 05 Sep 2026 04:41 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- 40 Chhattisgarh candidates disqualified for 3 years.
- Reason: Non-submission of election expenditure statements.
- Chhattisgarh ranks fourth nationally in such disqualifications.
Failing to submit election expenditure statements as required after contesting the Assembly elections has proved costly for 40 Chhattisgarh leaders. The Election Commission of India (ECI), acting under Section 10A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, has disqualified all 40 candidates from contesting elections for the next three years.
In its latest order, the Commission disqualified four candidates who contested the 2023 Assembly elections:
- Ajit Dolchand Chauhan from Saraipali
- Ashok Kashyap from Mahasamund, Constituency No. 42
- Chanchal Vani from Mahasamund
- Brijlal Thakur from Mahasamund
They were prevented from contesting elections for a period of 3 years for non-submission of election expenses account as stipulated under the law. Earlier, 36 other candidates had faced similar action by March, taking the total number of disqualified candidates in Chhattisgarh to 40. The state now ranks fourth in the country in terms of candidates disqualified for failing to file election expenditure accounts.
What Are The Rules For Filing Election Expenses?
As per election laws, each candidate has to present a proper account of election expenditure to the District Election Officer within 30 days from the declaration of election results. If election expenditure is not presented, without a reasonable cause, within 30 days, then the Election Commission can disqualify candidates.
After that, disqualified candidates will not be able to contest Lok Sabha and Assembly elections for 3 years. But this disqualification will not extend to Panchayat or local body elections automatically. Election Commission has the power to reduce or suspend the disqualification period.
Key Details
* Total disqualified candidates in Chhattisgarh: 40
* Previously disqualified: 36
* Newly disqualified: 4
* Total disqualified candidates across India: 529
* Chhattisgarh's rank: Fourth
* Disqualification period: 3 years for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections