Election Laws

**Statement 1 is incorrect:** As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a candidate can contest from up to two constituencies in a Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha election. **Statement 2 is possibly correct:** The law allowing a candidate to contest from two constituencies was introduced in 1996. Before that, a candidate could contest from any number of constituencies. Therefore, in 1991, Shri Devi Lal could have contested from three constituencies. This statement is ambiguous. **Statement 3 is incorrect:** As per the existing rules, if a candidate contests from more than one constituency and wins in more than one, he/she has to vacate the seats in all but one constituency. The cost of the bye-elections to fill the vacated seats is borne by the public exchequer and not the party of the candidate. _**NOTE:** UPSC has deleted this question, probably based on the error in statement 2._