Notice to government, EC on plea on poll expense ceiling

The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to the central government and the Election Commission, seeking their response on a petition regarding regulation and monitoring of the election expenditure of political parties.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw sought response from both by Aug 28.

The plea, filed by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), requested for a process of regular submission of election expenditure statements by political parties commencing a year prior to the actual polling date till the results are declared.

As has been observed in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, political parties start their campaigning much before the polls, said the plea.

"Since presently there is no limit on the election expenditure of political parties, it is very difficult to ascertain the actual amount of money spent during the election campaign.

"The current practice of submitting election expenditure statements after 75 and 90 days of the assembly and Lok Sabha elections, respectively, serves no purpose because monitoring and keeping a tab on the election expenditure after 75 and 90 days is a herculean task," the plea added.

It asked court to direct the government to implement the recommendation made by the Law Commission's 170th Report on electoral reforms, with regards to the financial accountability of the political parties.

The plea also sought an ceiling on the election expenditure of political parties before and during the elections.