Lok Sabha Candidate's Poll Expenses Ceiling Raised From 25 Lakhs To 40 Lakhs

Just months ahead of the Lok Sabha polls the Election Commission has decided to increase the electoral expenditure from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 40 lakh per candidate.

At a briefing on Thursday Feb 13,2014, Joint Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal Saibal Burman explained that the increase of Rs 15 lakh had come into effect in 2011 and had been in force for Lok Sabha by-elections. He said this was the first time it will be applicable to general elections and also said vigilance over expenditure in the polls would be stepped up.

The Election Commission of India(ECI) will deploy Flying Squad, Static Surveillance Team and Video Surveillance Team, which will work under the Expenditure Observers appointed by the Commission