The Election Commission has increased the poll expenditure limit for candidates for both Lok Sabha and assembly polls. The enhanced limits will apply to the upcoming assembly elections.
In parliamentary constituencies where the expenditure limit was Rs 70 lakh will now have a ceiling of Rs 95 lakh, and those that had a limit of Rs 54 will have Rs 75 lakh.
In assembly constituencies where the expenditure limit was earlier fixed at Rs 28 lakh will now have an upper limit of Rs 40 lakh, and in seats where the limit was Rs 20 lakh, candidates can now spend up to Rs 28 lakh.
The last major revision in the election expenditure limit was held in 2014, which was further increased by ten per cent in 2020. The Commission had formed a committee, comprising retired IRS officer Harish Kumar, secretary general at the EC Umesh Sinha and senior deputy election commissioner Chandra Bhushan Kumar to study the cost factors and other related issues, and make suitable recommendations.
The committee invited suggestions from political parties, chief electoral officers and election observers. It found that there has been a substantial increase in the number of electors and the cost inflation index since 2014. It also factored in the changing modes of campaigning, which is gradually shifting to virtual mode.
Having regarded demand from political parties to raise existing election expenditure limit for candidates, the committee furnished its recommendations to enhance the ceiling limit. The increased number of electors, from 834 million in 2014 to 936 million in 2021—an increase by 12 per cent—and the rise in cost inflation index from 2014-15 to 2021-22—240 to 317, up by 32.08 per cent—were also taken into account.
In a statement on Thursday, the Commission said it has accepted the recommendations of the committee and decided to enhance the existing election expenditure limit for candidates. Accordingly, revised limits has now been notified by the ministry of law and justice.