Dehradun, 26 November (HS). The expenditure limit of candidates for municipal elections in Uttarakhand has been increased. The State Election Commission has implemented the Maximum Election Expenditure and Account Presentation Order 2024, which will give candidates the freedom to spend more. According to the order issued by State Election Commissioner Sushil Kumar, expenditure limit has been set for the candidates contesting for various posts in Municipal Corporation, Municipality and Nagar Panchayats. This limit has now become higher than before, due to which candidates will be able to collect more resources for election campaign. Under the new order, heads of up to 40 wards in the Municipal Corporation will get Rs 20 lakh, heads of 41 to 60 wards will get Rs 25 lakh, heads of 61 or more wards will get Rs 30 lakh and heads of up to 10 wards in the Municipality will get Rs 6 lakh. Presidents of more than 10 wards will be able to spend Rs 8 lakh, members Rs 80 thousand.
Whereas in Nagar Panchayat, the president candidate will be able to spend Rs 3 lakh, the member will be able to spend Rs 50 thousand and the head of the suburban municipal corporation will be able to spend Rs 2 lakh. The State Election Commission has released 22 pages of detailed information in this regard. According to the order, the administration will inspect the expenses of the candidates and keep strict vigil on their accounts. Government’s intention: This step reflects the government’s intention to make municipal bodies more efficient and transparent. While this will give candidates more financial autonomy for election campaign, administrative control over expenses will also be maintained. The order has been implemented with immediate effect, and candidates have been directed to ensure compliance with it.
