Candidates can carry only up to Rs 50,000: Haryana EC

Haryana Election Commission today directed various political parties that cash of more than Rs 50,000 carried by their contestants would be confiscated during the forthcoming elections.
Election material of more than Rs 10,000 would also be confiscated from the candidates during the forthcoming polls to the ten Lok Sabha seats from the state on April 10, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Shrikant Walgad said.
"A candidate could carry cash up to only Rs 50,000 and election material amounting up to Rs 10,000. The cash or material exceeding these limits would be confiscated," he said.
"Apart from candidate, if any person carries cash or expensive goods related to his business or trade then he should have necessary documents otherwise it would also be confiscated by the Commission," Walgad said addressing a meeting of representatives of various political parties.

The meeting was called to discuss issues concerning model code of conduct, limit and procedure to incur election expenditure and other related details to be followed during elections.
He said the contesting candidates would have to open a separate bank account for elections. All transactions of election expenditure would have to be carried out through cheques using the same account, he said adding during elections, the limit in cash dealing with any person, firm or organisation is up to Rs 20,000 for the candidates.

"Apart from this, the candidate would have to maintain a shadow register for each and every transaction. Similarly, the EC would also maintain such register which would be matched with candidate's register from time to time. Any irregularity found while matching the registers or bank account statements, could become the reason for disqualification of the candidature," he cautioned.

He said media certification and monitoring committees have also been constituted at the district-level and state-level so as to put a check on paid news.
"If any news is published or telecast in favour of a candidate, then expenditure of the same would be added in total expenditure limit of contesting candidate," he said.
He said the candidates will have to take permission from the district election officer before getting any advertisement published in electronic media or print media and the name of publisher should be mentioned on material being used for publicity.
He said the election expenditure of a candidate would be counted from March 15, but if any candidate spends on any election material or campaign before this date then it would also be included in the election expenditure of the candidate.

He said if any candidate or his supporter is found guilty of violation of model code of conduct then action would be initiated against him or her as per law.
The meeting was attended by representatives of various parties including Congress, BJP and INLD.
Meanwhile, over 1.56 crore electors would be able to exercise their franchise at 16,129 polling stations in the upcoming general elections which include 71 lakh women.