Law Ministry may raise cap on poll expenses

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 10

The Ministry of Law and Justice has received a recommendation from the Election Commission (EC) to hike poll expenses by around 10 per cent in view of the situation arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sources in the Law Ministry said the poll panel had sent a proposal to amend Rule 90 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to enable candidates to spend 10 per cent more in view of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.

They said the proposal was under consideration of the government and if approved, a candidate would be able to spend Rs 30.80 lakh. At present, a candidate can spend Rs 28 lakh.

In its guidelines for conducting the poll amid the pandemic, the poll panel has put several restrictions which include capping of number of supporters to five, who will move along a candidate during door-to-door campaiging. Similarly, only two persons can accompany a candidate at the time of filing of nomination papers and attendance or gathering at a public meeting cannot exceed the limit fixed by State Disaster Management Authority.

Sources said the EC had sent its recommendation after it received feedback from the ruling NJP, which argued in favour of increasing the cap to meet mandatory expenses on masks, soap, PPE kits and thermal screening