Can government employees contest assembly and Lok Sabha elections? Here's what rules say
43-year-old Deepak Ghoghra. He is now contesting the election from the Dungarpur constituency on a Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) ticket. He is the son of BTP state president Velaram Ghoghra, news agency PTI reported.
The case has drawn attention to the question — Is a government employee allowed to contest polls? No state or central government employee is allowed to contest any election or participate in any political activities. ALSO READ: What role will anti-incumbency play in polls? As per a government press release published in 2019, the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, prohibits "Central Government civilian employees" employees from contesting elections to "any Legislative or Local Authority". The Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, states: "No government servant shall canvass or otherwise interfere with, or use his influence in connection with or take part in an election to any legislature or local authority".
It also clarifies that no government servant "shall be a member of, or be otherwise associated with, any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics nor shall he take part in...or assist in any other matter, any political movement or activity". ALSO READ: Madhya Pradesh elections 2023: ‘We build 4 crore houses with same devotion as Ram temple,’ says PM Modi in poll rally Similarly, there is a similar rule for the employees and officers of state governments, Aajtak reported. In order to contest elections, government employees must resign or retire from their duty.
They can't contest elections while holding the post. Their resignation must be valid as per the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules. If the person wins the election, he/she will remain relieved from the
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