Unlike the previous municipal polls where candidates could spend just Rs 1.5 lakh on campaigning, this year candidates have been allowed to spend more. The Delhi Election Commission has allowed expenditure of up to Rs 4 lakh per candidate on election campaigning during the municipal polls. And to monitor the expenditure incurred by candidates, the poll panel has appointed a team of 34 observers. Meanwhile, the poll panel has asked the MCD commissioner for a list of proposals that were passed by the standing committee of MCD in its last meeting.
“For assembly elections, candidates can spend up to Rs 14 lakh. This time, we have increased the limit to Rs 4 lakh for candidates contesting in municipal polls. We will closely monitor the expenditure incurred by all the candidates,” said Rakesh Mehta, state election commissioner.
The MCD will be sending a list of proposals passed by the standing committee in its last meeting by Wednesday. “We have asked for a list of the proposals which were passed by the standing committee in its last meeting. If the proposals that have been cleared are implemented after the elections then there is no problem. But if we find that certain proposals likely to influence the election outcome are being implemented during the election then we will take the necessary steps,” said Rakesh Mehta, state election commissioner.
With the model code of conduct in place, the poll panel is keeping a close watch on all political parties. “We have made it mandatory for all councillors and political parties to take permission from SDM before airing any advertisement,” said Mehta. The poll panel is ready with the list of polling and counting stations. “We will have a meeting with the police commissioner on Tuesday to discuss the list of sensitive polling stations,” he said.
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