'Parties to foot expenses of star campaigners'

The Delhi Election Commission (DEC) Wednesday said the expenditure incurred on star campaigners in the run-up to the polls will be borne by the political parties.

However, if the candidate shares the dais with the star or exhibits his photo or poster with his name, the expenses incurred will be included in his account.

The commission has fixed the upper expenditure limit at Rs.14 lakh for each candidate.

"Whichever candidate exceeds the expenditure upper limit will be disqualified from contesting elections," said a senior DEC officer.

Political parties will have to submit the list of stars who are going to campaign within seven days of the poll notification, fixed for Nov 9.

If any candidate uses print and electronic media for his publicity or campaigning, the expenses will be borne by the candidate instead of the political party.

At the end of the campaign every party will have to submit the overall expenditure to the electoral officer.

The candidates will have to keep updating their expenditure account to the returning officers of the constituencies during the campaign so transparency could be maintained, said the officer.