How Much An MLA Candidate Can Spend On Elections?

Whenever any election is held people talk about the cost involved. A few also say that it brings a big burden. Keeping aside this unofficial talk and off-the-record statements, the list of the prescribed costs the candidates can spend in the elections.

The Election Commission put a special on counting the election expenditure of the candidates in the Assembly polls. For this, a price list was prepared for the costs of conducting public meetings and conferences and the money that will be spent on coffee, tiffin, and Biryani for the party workers. The election expenditure will be calculated based on the same list.

It is said that earlier a few complaints were raised alleging that wrong details of the costs were submitted. Considering the complaints and what happened earlier, the election commission fixed prices for everything from water packets to the balloons and LED screens used for the meetings.

The rent for balloon and LED screens was fixed at Rs 4k and 15k each per day. At the same time, if the meeting is held at a function hall in town then the candidate should add 15k to the list. The EC said that the candidates should add the details of the cost spent on chairs, tables, and the remuneration of artists who take part in the cultural events.

Usually, we often hear comments that there will be a big change in the amount spent and the amount shown. Considering this, the EC might have felt that the irregularities might be stopped by a bit and hence the costs were increased. The costs were revised in 2022.

In 2014, the limit of expenditure for an MP candidate was Rs 75 lakhs. The same was increased to Rs 90 lakhs in 2022. Similarly, the expenditure for MLA candidates was increased to Rs 40 lakhs from Rs 28 lakhs. It is said that the costs were revised considering the growth in the voters and the inflation.

The costs mentioned by the EC

DCM Van per day Rs 3000 in Cities and Rs 3000 in villages

Mini Bus per day Rs 3500 in cities and Rs 3500 in villages

Innova Car per day Rs 4000 in cities and Rs 4000 in villages

Big bus per day Rs 6000 in cities and Rs 6000 in villages

Balloon per day Rs 4000 in cities and Rs 4000 in villages

Drone camera per day Rs 5000 in cities and Rs 5000 in villages

Function hall per day Rs 15,000 in cities and Rs 12000 in villages

LED Screen per day Rs 15000 in cities and Rs 15000 in villages

Tiffin costs Rs 35 in cities and Rs 30 in villages

Meals Rs 80 in cities and Rs 80 in villages

Vegetable Biryani Rs 80 in cities and Rs 70 in villages

Chicken Biryani Rs 140 in cities and Rs 100 in villages

Mutton Biryani Rs 180 in cities and Rs 150 in villages