No government expenses for Presidential election campaigns: EC

New Delhi, July 3 (UNI) The Election Commission (EC) today made it clear that no expenditure for the July 19 Presidential poll campaigns would be incurred out of the state exchequer and the candidates, irrespective of their present office or the post held by them in the past, have to undertake it in their own individual capacity.

According to an EC clarification issued here, the expenditure on this account has to be borne by them or by any political party supporting their candidature. The provisions of section 171H of the Indian Penal Code will be applicable in this regard.

Besides, the Presidential candidate ''cannot use any government machinery, including government vehicle or aircraft, for the election campaign.'' The clarification came in the wake of a communication by Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi regarding the expenditure on certain items during the campaigns or meetings of the candidate with electorate and use of government machinery by political functionaries accompanying the candidate.

Any Minister of the Union or state government, accompanying the candidate during the campaign, will be doing so in his or her own individual capacity, the EC notice said.

UNI