Ahead of assembly elections in five states, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has increased the expenditure limit for candidates contesting Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Election Commission has increased the limit of election expenditure till 95 lakhs for the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier, a candidate was allowed to spend up to 70 lakhs. For state assembly elections, the expenditure limit has been increased to to 40 lakh 28 lakhs.
According to the Election Commission of India, the revision in spending has come about due to an increase in the cost inflation index and the size of the electorate. The new expenditure limit will be applicable for the candidates contesting the upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur.
The Election Commission said in a statement that the last major revision in the election expenditure limit for candidates was done in 2014, which was further increased by 10% in 2020.
The latest expenditure revision for the Lok Sabha elections of large states has been increased by 35% from – from 70 lakhs 90 lakhs. On the other hand, for smaller states, the revised expenditure limit increased by 38% from – 54 lakh to 65 lakhs.
In case of state assembly elections, the revised election expenditure limit for candidates will now be 40 lakhs for large states, up 42% from 28 lakhs. Whereas candidates from smaller states will be able to spend maximum 28 lakh – 40% more than the previous limit 2 million.
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