Expenditure observer reviews arrangements in Hoshiarpur

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, April 22

Anil Kumar Lubana, the Expenditure Observer (EO), appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha constituency, reached here today.

He held a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Isha Kalia. Lubana reviewed the arrangements being made by the administration to monitor the expenditure incurrred by the candidates.

He will held a meeting with Assistant Returning Officers of the assembly segments of Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha constituency tomorrow. Besides, committees have been constituted to keep the track of the expenses being made by the candidates.

Reviewing the media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC), he said: “It is imperative to monitor the paid news regularly. Besides, the register for booking the expenses should also be prepared.”

The EO visited the complaint cell and reviewed the C-Vigil app complaint redressal. He said on behalf of the general public, he could be contacted at 62830-09608.

“According to the instructions of the ECI regarding the MCMC, print , electronic, and social media are being monitored for 24 hours, so that due action can be taken regarding the paid news and non-approved advertisement telecast,” added Lubana.

He said: “Pre-certification is required for the advertisement to be telecaste on the electronic media on behalf of the candidates, adding that before the advertisement can be telecast, the candidates should apply to the MCMC for the approval and after verification by the MCMC, the certificate will be issued.”

“It is necessary for the candidates to take pre-certification for bulk SMS, voice messages besides radio and cinema halls,” he added.

The EO said: “In order to get the permission for advertisement the MCMC can be contacted in room number 312 on the 3rd floor of District Administrative Complex.”

Isha Kalia informed that as of now seven cases of suspected paid news had been found by the MCMC, and three of them had been confirmed as paid news while four were under consideration of the MCMC.

“An expenditure of Rs 51,131 has been booked against the parties concerned in this regard. An expenditure of Rs 1,64,201 political advertisements have been published by now since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been booked against various parties by the MCMC,” said Isha Kalia.