The Election Commission, having announced the Lok Sabha elections 2019 schedule, is not leaving anything to chance when it comes to expenditure by parties and candidates.
The poll watchdog has fixed the rate of everything, from all pins to bulbs. The money that can be spent on tea and snacks has also been determined by the poll panel – a teacup is for Rs 5 and a samosa for Rs 7. The rate for lunch that can be offered to partymen and workers has been fixed at Rs 175 while snacks packet can be for Rs 20
A US-based election expert recently said, according to news agency PTI, that the upcoming general elections will be the most expensive in the history of India and perhaps one of the most expensive ever held in any democratic country.
Read: How much can a candidate spend and on what
In other details, the candidates can spend Rs 2 on a photocopy, Rs 18 on a box of all pins and Rs 55 on a litre of cold drink.
A poll official said all parties had been informed about the expenditure limits that were fixed based on market rates. He added that th commission would be video taping all poll activities to keep an eye on the candidates and parties.
Here’s a list of other expenditure limits:
{{/usCountry}}Here’s a list of other expenditure limits:
{{/usCountry}}Pandal cannot be more that 20 ft by 20 ft in size
Daily expenditure on pandal Rs 2000
One chair – Rs 8 a day
Stage – Rs 1200 a day
Generator - Rs 500 a day
Bulb – Rs 10
Videgraphy-Rs 700 a day
Posters- Rs 400 per 1000
Handbills- Rs 290 per 1000
Stamp pad – Rs 32
Carbon paper – Rs 160
Gel pen –Rs 10 each
Bag- Rs 50 each
Envelope- Rs 40 per 100