DODA: A meeting to review Election expenditure monitoring mechanism for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 was held here today in the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Office Complex.
The meeting was chaired by Expenditure Observer Arshdeep Singh and attended by the Deputy District Election Officer Om Prakash Bhagat, accounts officers, accounting team, and representatives of various political parties.
During the meeting, the Expenditure Observer provided a comprehensive overview of the rules and regulations governing election expenditure as outlined by the Election Commission of India and the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) guidelines. Singh emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in election spending and highlighted the need for all political parties to strictly adhere to these regulations to ensure a fair electoral process.
Representatives of political parties raised several questions about permissible expenses during the election period, seeking clarification on various aspects of the expenditure guidelines. In response, the Expenditure Observer instructed all political parties to maintain detailed records of their daily expenditures. He stressed that these records should be meticulously documented and submitted for review as required by the Election Commission’s guidelines.
Expenditure experts were also present to address queries and provide further clarification on specific expenditure-related issues raised by the representatives. They explained the procedures for maintaining accurate expenditure records, the types of expenses that are permissible, and the documentation required for each expense. The experts emphasized the consequences of failing to comply with these guidelines, which could result in penalties or disqualification from the election process.
The meeting concluded with a directive from the Expenditure Observer, urging political parties to ensure that all expenditures are within the limits set by the Election Commission of India. He reminded the attendees that strict adherence to these norms is essential for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. All participating parties agreed to comply with the directives and assured their commitment to transparent and lawful election campaigns.
The Expenditure Observer also announced that inspections of the expenditures made by political parties would take place on September 5, 10, and 16. Additionally, he informed the attendees that the maximum limit of expenditure during the election is Rs 40 lakh, as suggested by the Election Commission of India.
It was also decided that regular training sessions would be conducted for the political parties and their accounting teams to further educate them on the best practices for maintaining transparency in election expenditure. The Expenditure Observer emphasized the role of these sessions in fostering a culture of compliance and accountability among all stakeholders in the electoral process.