As a part of its reform programme to curb money power, chief election commissioner (CEC) Y S Qureshi today said the Election Commission wants more powers for rationalising the ceiling on poll expenses.
“The power for fixing ceiling on poll expenditures lies with the central government. We want the government to delegate this power to the commission in order to rationalising the ceiling. For this purpose, we are holding talks with the centre,” Qureshi said ahead of the Assembly elections in five states.
Qureshi’s comments came amid growing demand from various political parties to raise ceiling for poll expenditures. The centre early this year had fixed Rs 11 lakh as ceiling for assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Similarly, the limit for poll expenditures for parliamentary and Assembly elections in other states had also been revised.
Qureshi, who also reviewed poll arrangements for the January 30 Assembly elections in the hill state, said the election commission would soon take a policy decision whether to allow counters of political parties outside the election booths. Earlier, the commission had banned such counters in order to curb wasteful poll expenditures in the run up to the assembly polls.
“There had been a demand from a section of political parties to allow such counters. We will soon take a policy decision in this regard,” said the CEC, who was flanked by other two election commissioners.
He said the election commission would also set up quick response teams for addressing various complaints during the elections.
Besides, he said the model code of conduct would also be strictly followed. Special observers will also be sent to all the states to monitor ground action on poll expenses.
“We are committed to curb money and muscle power from the election system. During these elections, we will now allow any violations of any kind,” Qureshi asserted.