Candidates’ poll expenses to be monitored through videography

Karnal, August 27

Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Uttam Singh said expenses of all candidates would be closely monitored through videography. Nodal officers have been appointed to ensure a free, fair and peaceful election process.

Chairing a meeting of nodal officers at the Mini-Secretariat on Tuesday, the DC stressed on the strict enforcement of the model code of conduct. He directed the officials to take immediate action if any violations were reported.

Expenses on rallies, meetings to be tracked

• Karnal DC-cum-District Election Officer Uttam Singh said every electoral activity of the candidates would be recorded on video during the Assembly Elections 2024.
• These videos would be reviewed by dedicated video-viewing teams formed for each of the five constituencies in the district.
• Surveillance teams will capture footage of rallies, public meetings and roadshows by candidates.
• Expenses incurred by the candidates during the electoral process, including public meetings, rallies and roadshows, would be closely tracked.
• This includes costs related to seating arrangements, tents, stages and refreshments.
• Besides, the DC held a meeting with bankers.
• He said all candidates must open a separate bank account before filing their nomination papers.
• All election-related expenses must be transacted through this account, with a maximum spending limit of ~40 lakh per candidate.

The DC said that as per the Election Commission’s directives, every electoral activity of the candidates would be recorded on video during the Assembly Elections 2024. These videos would be reviewed by dedicated video-viewing teams. Separate video-viewing teams were formed for each of the five constituencies in the district including —Indri, Nilokheri, Karnal, Assandh, and Gharaunda.

Besides, two video surveillance teams, each equipped with photographers, have been assigned to monitor each of the five constituencies. An additional team has been kept on standby. These surveillance teams will capture footage of rallies, public meetings, and roadshows.

The DC said expenses incurred by the candidates during the electoral process, including public meetings, rallies and roadshows, would be closely tracked. This includes costs related to seating arrangements, tents, stages, refreshments and other expenditures.

Besides, the DC also held a meeting with bankers. He said all candidates must open a separate bank account before filing their nomination papers. All election-related expenses must be transacted through this account, with a maximum spending limit of Rs 40 lakh per candidate.

He directed the bank officials to expedite the process of opening these separate accounts for the candidates and ensure that they faced no difficulties. He emphasised that checkbooks should be provided to the candidates as soon as their accounts were opened.

Singh clarified that the candidates must conduct all financial transactions using cheques, drafts, or other electronic methods such as RTGS and NEFT. If any expenditure required a payment of more than Rs 10,000 to an individual or institution, the amount must be withdrawn from this designated bank account and could be paid in cash only under such circumstances.

He also mentioned that instructions had already been issued to all banks through LDM Sushil Handuja to ensure appropriate arrangements for opening these accounts. As soon as a candidate filed their nomination papers, their election expenditure monitoring would begin.