1. Preliminary, Scope & Core Objectives

These Rules shall be called the DMJCCA Election Rules, 2026. They govern all official elections across the National, State, District, City, Taluka, and Block levels of the Association.

Key Definitions: “Association” refers to DMJCCA; “Election Commission” means the National Election Commission; “Candidate” designates an eligible member contesting an election; “Voter” is an eligible voting member; and “Electoral Roll” refers to the verified voter register.

Core Objectives: Ensuring democratic governance, absolute transparency, fair competition, equal opportunity, secret ballot integrity, independent supervision, peaceful elections, and credible organizational leadership.

2. Election Commission, Founding Phase & Term Cycle

• Composition & Powers: The National Election Commission comprises the Chief Election Commissioner, two Election Commissioners, Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, and Election Observers. It is empowered to notify elections, scrutinize nominations, appoint officers, hear disputes, declare results, and order recounts or re-polls.
• Election Cycle: Ordinary general elections shall occur every Five (5) Years. Official notifications are ordinarily issued at least 90 days before tenure expiration.

3. Electoral Roll, Voter Eligibility & Disqualification

Electoral Roll Specifications: Contains Membership Number, Name, State, District, Category, and Voting Status. Published 30 days before polling; all claims and objections must be adjudicated within 7 days.

4. Nomination, Scrutiny & Model Code of Conduct

• Nomination & Scrutiny: Submissions require a Nomination Form, Membership ID, Proof of Identity, Candidate Declaration, Photo, and No-Dues Certificate. The Returning Officer examines validities and provides written reasons for any rejection.
• Withdrawals & Campaigns: Written withdrawals submitted before the prescribed deadline are final. Campaigns must remain strictly issue-based via manifestos, member meetings, social media, and debates.

5. Polling, Counting, Disputes & Result Certification

• Voting Method: Conducted via Secret Ballot, Electronic Voting, Secure Online Voting, or Hybrid models with prior identity verification. Strictly one vote per voter.
• Counting & Declaration: Conducted before the Returning Officer, authorized Observers, and Candidate Representatives. Result sheets certify total, valid, and invalid votes alongside the victory margin.
• Ties & Recounts: Recounts may be ordered for alleged arithmetic errors or narrow margins. Ties are resolved by re-poll or drawing lots if re-polling is impracticable.
• Election Petitions: Must be filed within 15 days with substantiating evidence, adjudicated by the National Election Tribunal.

6. Casual Vacancies, Oath, Digital Integrity & Offences

By-Elections & Oath: By-elections cover vacancies from death, resignation, removal, or disqualification. Every elected official must execute the constitutional Oath of Office before assuming duties.

Preservation of Records: Rolls, ballots, nominations, digital voting records, and sheets are preserved for at least five (5) years.

Digital Voting Protocols: Requires authenticated login, OTP verification, encrypted voting, audit trails, and vote secrecy.

Statutory Offences: Bribery, impersonation, forgery, booth capturing, ballot tampering, cyber manipulation, or voter intimidation will lead to disqualification, membership cancellation, and legal prosecution.

7. Statutory Election Forms & Annexures Schedule