DC asks aspirants adhere to poll expense limits

Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena has directed Zilla and Taluk Panchayat poll aspirants to strictly adhere to the expenditure limits set by the State Election Commission.

At a meeting with leaders of various political parties at the DC office on Monday, Meena said the expenditure limit has been set to Rs one lakh for ZP elections and Rs 50,000 for TP elections.

Candidates have to submit a report of the expenses incurredfrom the time their names are announced in Form 10 as contestants to the returning officer. The report has to be submitted within 30 days of the announcement of poll results. Membership of candidates, who win the elections, will be disqualified and failed candidates will be barred from contesting any election for six years, if they fail to keep a tab on their expenditure limits and submit their reports within stipulated time.

Meena added that organising mass weddings or feasts to lure voters will be construed as campaigning and the costs incurred will be included in poll expenditure.

On the day of polling, permission will be granted either for the candidate or for a representative to visit the polling booths.

Candidates should register the names of their representatives two days prior to the polling day, so that photo identification cards can be issued.

Electronic voting machines will be tested 30 minutes before polling begins and representatives of each candidate should be present at the polling booths during the testing.

Meena advised candidates to strictly follow the model  code of conduct and refrain from making religious references or personal attacks during campaigning.

Parties and voters can report poll code violations by calling 222098 / 222133, a 24-hour hotline set up for the purpose.