From this time onwards, the District Election Office will be sterner in keeping surveillance of poll expenditure by political parties and candidates for the coming Assembly polls.
The maximum amount a candidate can spend for the elections is Rs 28 lakh in a constituency. The Election Commission (EC) has already warned that stringent action including disqualifying the candidate would be taken in case of violation.
Tab on expenditure
Election expenditure observers appointed for the purpose would regularly submit reports on each Assembly constituency.
They would keep a tab on the expenditure of candidates till the results are announced, N. Prasanth, District Collector and District Election Officer said.
Shadow observation teams of the EC would videograph the campaign of political parties and candidates in each Assembly constituency. They would also maintain a separate register of the poll expenditure.
These details would be compared with the poll expenditure of candidates which they should mandatorily submit 30 days after the announcement of results.
The shadow observers comprising the video surveillance team, video viewing team and accounting team have already begun their work.
The election expenditure includes the rallies organised by candidates, poster campaigns, public meetings and advertisements via social media.
Short films and website of candidates would also come under the poll expenditure guidelines, officials said.
The travel expense of star campaigners including Prime Minister, Chief Minister and national leaders of political parties would not be accounted in the poll expenditure of the candidates.
However, the expenditure incurred for rallies and public meetings in which star campaigners participate would be accounted to the expense of the candidates.
Besides, the teams would also keep a tab on candidates or political parties inducing voters by way of offering money, gifts and liquor.
Flying squads have intensified their activities in the district.
Any amount incurred for recovering materials would be accounted to the candidates’ poll expense, Mr. Prasanth said.
The District Election Office has also prepared a rate chart for services and materials secured on rent during Assembly polls. The rates have been fixed in consultation with the representatives of political parties in the district.
The daily rate for using loud speakers in Rs. 2,200; erecting a podium having a height of 15 feet (Rs. 3,800); pamphlets of 1,000 copies (Rs. 9,500).
The rates have also been fixed for multi-colour banners and posters, arches and hoardings.
The rent for jeeps, tempo, truck, is Rs. 1,500 and luxury vehicles, Rs. 1,700, daily.
The rate fixed for three-wheeler vehicle is Rs. 600 and mini lorry is Rs. 2,750 per day.
