Expenditure observers for ULB elections in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Aug 20 (UNI) For the first time the State Election Commission(SEC) has appointed 23 Expenditure Observers to oversee expenditure of the candidates contesting 92 Urban Local Bodies in the state .

SEC Sanjeeb Chandra Hota, who presided over a meeting of the Expenditure Observers, directed them to ensure that the ceiling fixed for a candidate contesting the election was implemented in true spirit.

The Expenditure Observers appointed for each ULBs should supervise the election expenses of contesting candidates vis-a-vis the limitations fixed by the Commission.

Mr Hota said the EOs have been asked to prepare schedule of inspection in such a manner that the day-to-day account could be verified at least twice during the period of electioneering.

Each contesting candidate is required to maintain the day-to-day account, including the expenditure on vehicle, in a register in the format prescribed by the Commission.

The Expenditure Observers will scrutinize the day-to-day expenditure, the SEC said adding that non-production of registers for verification by any candidate will be treated as an evidence against the candidate in an election case.

He further said the Expenditure Observers will also coordinate with the Election Observers for a free and fair election.

As per the rule the expenditure for the candidate contesting the ULB with a population of over one lakh would be Rs 50,000 while that of the ULB having a population between 50,000 and one lakh would be Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 for the ULB with a population up to 50,000.

UNI DP KK RN1918