Poll expenses: jailed candidates can use agent

EC makes slight change on compulsory opening of bank account

The Election Commission (EC) has slightly modified its instruction on the compulsory opening of bank account by the candidates for election expenditure purpose, stating that such accounts may be opened by the chief election agent in his/her name if the contestant is in jail.

“:..if, for opening a joint account separately for the purpose of election expenditure, the presence of the imprisoned candidates is insisted upon by the bank, then in such cases, he will authorise his election agent to open the said account in his [agent's] name and the said account will be used only for the purpose of election,” said a Commission's letter sent to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer.

Criminal nexus

As the criminal-politician nexus in U.P. has come to light and more jailed persons are getting nominated by political parties, the Commission's order in this regard is very significant.

According to the EC, each candidate has to open a separate bank account for election expenses, at least one day before the filing of nomination. Failure to do so will attract show cause from the Returning Officer.

Relaxation

However, the nomination will not be rejected only because he/she has not opened the bank account or has not intimated the bank account number to the Returning Officer.

In another relaxation, the Commission permitted, as a special case, the national or State-recognised political parties in U.P. to use up to five vehicles for distributing publicity material to party units in the State.