Not more than two seats
IT has become a lacuna that needs to be addressed. There may be political logic to the decision of party leaders to contest multiple seats in a general election. With the party system underdeveloped and an electorate that is perceived to respond to personalities, political leaders attempt to increase the appeal of their parties in different regions of the country by putting their names on multiple ballot papers. All major parties have resorted to the tactic at some point. However, a fracturing of the electorate and more pronounced regional politics in recent years appear to have convinced more parties and high-profile politicians to resort to the tactic of putting their name on multiple ballot papers across the country. The 2018 general election could witness an unprecedented number of such multiple-constituency candidates, though before the finalisation of ballots some political leaders may withdraw from races that they have tentatively agreed to take part in. Nevertheless, it is time for intervention.