Election Commission has constituted a committee comprising Sh. Harish Kumar, Ex. IRS and DG (Investigation), Sh. Umesh Sinha, Secretary General and DG (Expenditure) to examine the issues concerning expenditure limit for a candidate in view of increase in number of electorsand rise in Cost Inflation Index and other factors.

Considering the factor of COVID-19, the Ministry of Law & Justice on 19.10.2020 has notified an amendment in Rule 90 of Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 enhancing the existing expenditure limit by 10%.  This increase of 10% will be applicable with immediate effect in ongoing elections.

Expenditure limit for a candidate was last revised in 2014 vide notification dated 28.02.2014, while in respect of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana it was revised vide notification dated 10.10.2018.

In last 6 years the limit was not increased despite increase in electorate from 834 million to 910 million in 2019 to 921 million now.  Further, Cost Inflation Index during this period has increased from 220 to 280 in 2019 to 301 now.

The committee will have following terms of reference:-

1. To assess the change in number of electors across the States/Union Territories and its bearing on expenditure.
2. To assess the change in Cost Inflation Index and its bearing on the pattern of expenditure incurred by the candidates in recent elections.
3. To seek views/inputs of the political parties and other stakeholders.
4. To examine other factors which may have bearings on expenditure.
5. To examine any other related issue.

The Committee will submit its report within 120 days of its constitution.

Meanwhile The Election Commission  also took a “serious view” of utter violation of social distancing norms during poll campaigning and leaders addressing public meetings without wearing masks in complete disregard of its guidelines.

In an advisory issued to presidents and general secretaries of all recognised national and state parties, the poll panel said chief electoral officers and the district machinery would be expected to invoke appropriate and relevant penal provisions against candidates concerned as well as organisers responsible for such violations.

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Since ECI announced General Elections for the Legislative Assembly of Bihar, 2020 on 25^th September, 2020, it has been brought to the notice of the Commission that in view of prevailing restrictions on account of Covid -19, there was dislocation and delay in moving applications for registration, which in turn led to delay in registration as a Political Party.  Therefore, after considering  all aspects of the matter, Commission relaxed the Public Notice Time period. This relaxation will remain in force till 20^th October, 2020, the last date of nomination for Phase 3 of the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of State of Bihar

It may be recalled that Registration of Political parties is governed by the provisions of Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. A party seeking registration under the said Section with the Commission has to submit an application to the Commission within a period of 30 days following the date of its formation as per guidelines prescribed by the Commission in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. As per existing guidelines, the applicant association is, inter-alia, asked to publish proposed Name of the party in two national daily news papers and two local daily newspapers, on two days for submitting objections, if any, with regard to the proposed registration of the party before the Commission within   30 days from such publication.  Notice so published is also displayed on the website of the Commission.

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