EC to appoint observer in urban local bodies election

DAINIK NATION BUREAU

State Election Commission will appoint separate observers to monitor election expenditure of candidates for the urban local bodies elections. The election is to be held somewhere in March-April.

“Although we have been appointing election observers for bringing about transparency in the elections, this time we will appoint separate observers whose main task will be to monitor the budgetary expenditure of candidates,” said State Election Commissioner Subardhan after a meeting with political representatives.
During the all-party meeting, representatives of political parties had also pressed for raising the maximum limit of expenditure of the candidates for these elections.

During the 2013 urban local bodies elections, the maximum budgetary limit for the Nagar Palika Mayor was Rs 8 lakh, Deputy Mayor Rs 1 lakh and Nagar Palika member Rs 1 lakh . These are expected to be revised.

The State Election Commission asked the parties to submit the annual audit reports and annual income tax statements, otherwise the registration of the party would be cancelled. “We have issued notices to the BJP, the Congress, the NCP and the CPI (M), but they have not responded. The last date for submitting the documents is January 10,” said Subardhan.

The State Election Commissioner said decision to hold the elections to the urban local bodies through EVMs or ballot papers would be taken later