Jaipur. Before the upcoming urban body and Panchayati Raj elections in Rajasthan, the State Election Commission has taken a big and important decision, which is going to have a direct impact on the electoral politics and strategy of the candidates. The State Election Commission has issued a formal notification regarding the revised limit, almost doubling the election expenditure limit of the candidates. The Commission says that this amendment had become necessary in view of the current election circumstances, rising inflation and continuously increasing expenditure on election campaign. After this decision, now candidates contesting elections from Gram Panchayat to Municipal Corporation will be able to spend more than before.
This decision has come at a time when political activities regarding urban body and Panchayati Raj elections are intensifying in the state. Political parties and potential candidates are already busy in ground preparations. While increasing the expenditure limit will provide relief to the candidates in campaigning, the challenge for the Election Commission to monitor expenditure and ensure transparency will also increase. The Commission has clarified that the increased limit will be effective in all upcoming urban body and panchayat elections.
Big change in expenditure limit from Sarpanch to Zilla Parishad
According to the revised notification, there has been a significant increase in the expenditure limit of candidates contesting elections in Panchayati Raj institutions. The election expenditure limit for the post of Sarpanch has been increased from earlier Rs 50 thousand to Rs 1 lakh. Similarly, the expenditure limit for Panchayat Samiti member has been increased from Rs 75 thousand to Rs 1.50 lakh. Zilla Parishad members, who earlier could spend a maximum of Rs 1.50 lakh in elections, will now be able to spend up to Rs 3 lakh.
The Election Commission believes that the use of election campaign means, travel, meetings and digital mediums has increased in rural areas also. In such a situation, the old expenditure limit was not matching with the actual expenditure. The revised limit will allow candidates to campaign within the legal limits.
Expenditure limit increased in urban body elections also
The expenditure limit of candidates has also been increased in urban body elections. The election expenditure limit for Municipal Corporation Councilor has been increased from Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 3.50 lakh. Municipal council councilors will now be able to spend up to Rs 2 lakh instead of the earlier limit of Rs 1.50 lakh. Whereas the expenditure limit for municipal councilors has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.50 lakh.
The Commission says that the methods of campaigning in urban areas have changed rapidly. The cost of social media, digital publicity, large-scale public relations and programs is continuously increasing. In such a situation, increasing the expenditure limit had become the need of the hour.
New system will be implemented in upcoming elections
The State Election Commission has made it clear that the increased expenditure limit will be applicable only in the upcoming urban body and Panchayati Raj elections. The Commission has also indicated that all the rules and procedures already set for monitoring expenditure will remain in place. Candidates will have to give complete details of their expenses within the stipulated time limit.
Political analysts believe that this decision may make electoral contests more active and competitive. However, it is also a fact that as the expenditure limit increases, maintaining transparency and impartiality will be a big challenge for the Election Commission. At present this decision is being seen as an important change in the electoral politics of the state.
