Stating that the ECI is seriously concerned about the growing use of money power in elections, the poll panel told the Supreme Court that it has put in place a robust mechanism to monitor electoral expenditure during elections.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) said one of the reasons more money is being seized today is because of its increased vigilance and efforts. It said that central and state law enforcement agencies are routinely involved and their teams are deployed in the states where the survey will be conducted to monitor election expenditure.
The submissions were made in an affidavit filed in response to a petition by Prabhakar Deshpande, who sought a comprehensive plan to curb excessive spending by political parties and candidates on polls and action against erring candidates and parties.
The affidavit said “The Election Commission of India is seriously concerned about the growing use of money power in elections. To curb this menace, the Election Commission of India has been effectively and progressively enforcing a mechanism to monitor election expenditure in elections since the 2010 general elections to the Bihar Legislative Assembly, the Election Commission has time and again taken various measures to curb the menace of money power in elections and will continue to do so in the future”.
In order to keep election expenditure within the legal limit prescribed under Article 90 of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 and also to curb excessive expenditure/unaccounted expenditure, the Election Commission has put in place a robust mechanism to monitor election expenditure during elections.
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