AMRITSAR: The Election Commission of India will keep a close watch on the election expenses of the candidates contesting the upcoming Punjab Assembly Election-2022. A candidate will be able to spend a maximum of Rs 40 lakh on his campaign, earlier the spending limit was fixed at Rs 30.80 which has now been increased.
Disclosing this here today District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Mr. Gurpreet Singh Khaira said that the Election Commission of India was taking various measures to reduce the exorbitant expenditure incurred by the candidates in the elections.
He said that candidates would be able to spend only on rallies, campaign materials, advertisements, vehicles and other miscellaneous activities required for elections. Therefore, they have to open a joint bank or postal account in their name or with their election agent one day before filling up the nomination papers. Candidates will be able to incur all election expenses from this account. Payment up to Rs.10, 000 / - can be made in cash whereas more than this amount has to be paid by cheque.
He appealed to the delegates not to engage in illegal methods like distribution of liquor and drugs, distribution of cash, distribution of gifts etc. during the elections. To monitor the expenditure incurred by the candidates Supervisors will be sent there as well as several teams are being formed at the local level. Details of any expenditure incurred by the candidates will have to be recorded in the daily expenditure register. On the other hand, the Election Commission recorded the same expenditure in the secret register.
The cost of both registers should match. Bills and vouchers for all expenses from filing of nomination papers to results are to be kept. Approval of each expenditure must be obtained from the concerned Returning Officer.
He said that all the expenses would be booked as per the rates fixed by the Election Commission. Expenditure monitors will personally check the election expenditure register of each candidate thrice during the entire election process.
He appealed to all the party representatives to cooperate with the district administration.
Referring to the Model Code of Conduct, he said that no party or candidate could infringe on the personal life of any other candidate. Votes cannot be solicited on the basis of caste, religion, color or greed. Only 5 people can go for door to door election campaign. Religious places cannot be used for campaigning. Nothing should be done that spoils the atmosphere of social brotherhood and harmony.