Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 | Who bears the cost of state elections?

Jammu and Kashmir is set to vote in the second and third phases of their Assembly polls on September 25 and October 1 respectively. The results are to be declared on October 8.

J&K recorded a 61 per cent voter turnout across 24 constituencies in seven districts in phase one of the assembly polls which concluded peacefully.

On that note, let us understand who bears the cost of state elections?

To make sure that elections are held in a free and fair manner without the misuse of money and muscle power, the Election Commission of India overlooks, directs and controls Parliamentary as well as Assembly elections in India, including the expenditure incurred in these elections.

The ECI divides election expenditure into two broad categories; one being the legal expenditure which includes campaigns, public meetings, rallies, advertisements and the other is illegal expenditure which are impermissible like bribery, distribution of money and liquor etc.

Hence, as a part of its election expenditure monitoring, the Election Commission requires election expenditure to be truthfully reported by the candidates.

“Section 77(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 makes it mandatory for every candidate to the House of the People or a State Legislative Assembly, to keep a separate and correct account of all expenditure incurred or authorized by him or by his election agent, between the date on which he was nominated and the date of declaration of the result of election, both dates inclusive. The total of the said expenditure shall not exceed such amount as may be prescribed under Section 77(3) of R.P. Act, 1951.”

It must also be noted that a failure to maintain this account is an electoral offence.

Moreover, within 30 days of declaration of the results, the contesting candidate must “lodge a true copy of the account of his election expenses with the District Election Officer (DEO).”

The ECI can even disqualify a candidate disqualify a candidate in case the account is found to be incorrect or untrue. Therefore, a candidate is not only required to maintain their election expenditure within the ceiling provided by the law but also maintain an account of the same.

Assembly Elections 2024 | In the first assembly polls since the Lok Sabha elections, Narendra Modi and the BJP face a rejuvenated and vindicated Opposition in the Haryana assembly polls. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir is voting after almost a decade and it remains to be seen how the abrogation of Article 370 has impacted the political landscape of the Valley. Track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.