Nagpur: Nearly 85% candidates in the fray across Maharashtra forfeited their security deposits after they failed to secure the minimum vote share stipulated by Election Commission of India. Of 4,136 candidates, a majority, specifically 3,515, could not cobble up the mandatory mandate, leading to loss of security deposits that stack up to ₹3.51 crore.
The forfeiture of deposits in the 2024 assembly polls follows a trend observed in earlier elections.In 2014, as many as 4,119 candidates contested the polls, with 3,422 losing their deposits, amounting to ₹3.42 crore, which represented 83.07% candidates. This percentage dipped in 2019, where 80.5% of 3,237 candidates forfeited their deposits, totalling ₹2.60 crore. However, in 2024 elections, the forfeiture rate sharply rose to 85%.
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 deposit is forfeited. Each candidate must pay a ₹10,000 deposit, while contesting assembly elections, whereas Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates need to pay ₹5,000.
Among the two major political alliances, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) comprising Congress, Sena-UBT, and NCP-SP and smaller parties, suffered the biggest loss in security deposits with the grand old party leading the charts. Congress candidates alone forfeited deposits in 9 seats, followed by Shiv Sena-UBT in 8 and NCP-SP in 3. Peasants and Workers Party (PWP), a smaller party within MVA, also lost deposits in 2 seats. In total, MVA saw its candidates forfeit deposit across 22 seats.
Nashik district clocked the highest number of forfeits among big players — 6 seats by 3 major parties, including two from 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 in deposit forfeiture.
On the other hand, no BJP candidate forfeited deposits across the state. However, its alliance partners were dented — Sena (Shinde) candidate lost his deposit in Vidarbha's Daryapur (Amravati district), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP lost deposits on 5 seats across the state. Notably, the Morshi seat 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 necessary threshold.
Other smaller parties also suffered deposit forfeitures. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) lost deposits on nearly all seats statewide. An exception was MNS' Amit Thackeray, who lost, but exceeded the threshold in Mahim constituency.
Sachin Waghade, an Independent candidate contesting against Devendra Fadnavis in Nagpur South West, who lost his deposit, expressed his thoughts on the system. "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."
Infographics
Lost Poll, Lost Deposit Too
2014
Total Candidates – 4119
Forfeited Deposits – 3422
Percentage – 83.07%
Value – Rs 3.42 Cr
2019
Total Candidates – 3237
Forfeited – 2606
Percentage – 80.5%
Value – 2.60 Cr
2024
Total Candidates – 4136
Forfeited – 3515
Percentage – 84.98%
Value – Rs 3.51 Cr