‘Pre-nomination expenses to be excluded’

Some parties pointed out candidates had begun campaign before filing of nomination

Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar at a meeting with representatives of political parties at the Secretariat in Chennai on Friday. Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

Will the Election Commission include expenses incurred prior to filing of nomination papers by candidates within the overall election expenditure of such candidates?

This question was raised by Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) at a meeting of recognised political parties with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Praveen Kumar on Friday. The reply was in the negative.

As per the rule, only expenses incurred after filing of nomination would be taken into account, though a rally or a meeting organised at the time of filing nomination would also be included.

If the rule had to be changed, it was up to the Union government to do it, explained Mr.Praveen Kumar.

After attending the meeting that lasted two and a half hours, Chandhirakumar of the DMDK and A. Arumuga Nainar of the CPI (M), in their interaction with reporters, pointed out that certain candidates and parties had already begun their campaign, even though the filing of nominations would begin on March 29, and wondered whether it would be fair if the expenses incurred by such persons and parties were not included.

Kovai Thangam of the Congress said he had represented to the poll authorities that candidates should not be checked again and again whether they carried cash. R.S. Bharathi of DMK said the CEO told the participants that the Commission was seized of the issue of masking a structure, resembling the symbol of the AIADMK, at the entrance of MGR memorial on the Marina here.