A meeting of political parties of the State was convened here today by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pushpendra Rajput regarding monitoring of expenditure on election in the ensuing Vidhan Sabha Election in the State.He told the representatives of various political parties that every contesting candidate will have to open separate bank account for election expenditure at least one day before the date on which candidate filed nomination. This account could also be opened in joint name with his election agent. The contesting candidate will have to issue Account payee cheques for any item of expenditure exceeding Rs. 20 thousand. Total expenditure will not exceed maximum limit of Rs. 28 lakh per Assembly Constituency. This expenditure includes public meetings and rallies, posters, banners vehicles and advertisements in print and electronic media.Contesting candidate or his representative will have to submit an expenditure plan with application for permission in respect of public meetings and rallies etc.
The Chief Electoral Officer also said if candidate or his agent shares dais with star campaigner or name of the candidate mentioned by star campaigner or photographs of candidate are displayed at the site of public rally then entire expenditure in public rally except travel expenses of star campaigner shall be included in candidate's account.The CEO said that permission must be obtained from Returning Officer (RO) in respect of all vehicles to be used during electioneering and displayed in front of the vehicle. If any vehicle is found used for campaign without permission, RO will take action. If expenses on construction of barricades, rostrums etc. are made by government agencies on account of security considerations it would be booked in candidate's account in whose constituency the meeting takes place.Pushpendra Rajput also said that each political party would have to maintain register of election expenditure. The candidates would submit these registers to expenditure Observer for inspection at least three times during campaign period. He requested all the political parties to strictly adhere to Election Model code of conduct and also invited suggestions for fair and smooth conduct of election.The representatives of Congress, BJP, CPI, CPM were present in the meeting.