Port Blair, March 15: A meeting was held under the Chairpersonship of Nodal Officer (EEM)/ADM (South Andaman), A&N Islands, Ms. Nandini Maharaj, IAS with Political Parties functionaries to explain various legal provisions and mechanisms in place with regard to Election Expenditure Monitoring (EEM) of contesting candidates in the Conference Hall of District Office, South Andaman on 12.3.2024.
At the outset the Nodal Officer (EEM) welcomed the political party functionaries present in the meeting and briefed about the various Legal Provisions under the RP Act, 1951 and Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 which mandates upkeep of proper day to day account of election expenses in the prescribed performa and submission of the account of the same for inspection as well as filing of account within 30 days of declaration of election results. Further it was also appraised that during the election campaigning period, the candidate is required to produce the register either in person or through his election agent or any other person duly authorized by him before the Expenditure Observer/designated officer for inspection at least three times during the campaign period. The gap between two inspections shall be at least three days. This schedule shall be given wide publicity through the press. The last inspection shall be fixed not before 3 days from the day of poll.
The Nodal Officer Training (EEM) gave a detailed presentation explaining the election expenditure monitoring machinery functioning under DEO, S/A and also imparted training on the maintenance of election expenditure account in the prescribed performa provided by ECI. Section 171B, 171E, 171C, 171F, 171 H and 171 I of IPC were also explained in detail to the party functionaries. It was informed that currently the maximum limit prescribed for a candidate for election expenditure is Rs. 75 lakhs.
During the meeting it was also appraised to them that the candidates have to open a separate bank account for election expenditure. The details of various registers to be maintained by the candidates were also explained to them. The party functionaries were also briefed about the procedure to seek permission for holding public rallies/meetings etc.
The Section 127 A of RP Act, 1951 which mandates submission of declaration by the publisher for printing of Election pamphlet/poster etc. disclosing the identity of the publisher was also explained.
The party functionaries were informed that expenditure exceeding Rs 10,000/- in connection with the election, consisting of a single transaction or an aggregate of transactions, entered into with a single person/entity during the entire poll period shall not be incurred by a candidate/political party unless the payment in respect of the same is made by way of an account payee cheque or draft on a bank or account payee bank draft or by RTGS/NEFT or any other electronic mode linked to the bank account of the candidate.
The Nodal Officer (EEM) circulated the copies of draft rates proposed to be notified for various items pertaining to Election Expenditure. The party representatives also raised certain issues related to facilitating smooth election campaign by contesting candidate for consideration by the appropriate authorities. These include connectivity, permissions and cautious execution of enforcement activities.