Despite SEC guidelines, spend maximum on transport, especially to ferry voters and supporters.
In order to ensure free and fair election, the state election commission (SEC), has specified the limit of every conceivable expenditure a political aspirant can incur during the polling process.
However, a conversation with political aspirants paints a different picture of the amount of money that is pumped into the process.
The election commission has identified 12 major heads of expenditure for the candidates. These include reach out office, printing of pamphlets, distribution of pamphlets, advertisement, banner, meetings, vehicles used for campaigning, honorarium to be paid to volunteers, refreshments for volunteers, CDs, pictures and video shooting.
According to political aspirants, maximum money is spent on transport, especially to ferry voters and supporters.
Parties use jeep / taxi / car / autorickshaw — that charge anything between Rs6,000 and Rs10,000 a day — depending on the distance and number of trips on voting day, as well as during election campaign. However, the SEC has specified that the per day rent for rickshaws would be Rs5,000; for car / jeep it would be Rs1,500; minitrax Rs1,800 and mobile van Rs2,000.
While per day expenditure on a vegetarian supporter was Rs700, non-vegetarian and alcoholic supporters required Rs1,000 to 1,500 per head. There are 200 to 1,000 such supporters at rallies or during voting.
The SEC, however, has specified in detail, the expenditure on food and beverages, including tea.
As per the SEC, a candidate should spend Rs7 for a cup of tea, Rs25 for light meals and Rs100 for full meals.
The candidates distribute pamphlet, compendiums, calendars and voters’ slips during polls.
According to sources, coloured or glazed pamphlets cost Rs6, while a booklet costs nearly Rs40 per unit and the rate of voters’ slips varies from Rs2 to Rs4.50.
The candidates circulate nearly 5,000 to 10,000 units of such material for election. The SEC has not specified the printing cost to be incurred by candidates.
Internal expenditures such as wooing the voters may include gifts like food, clothing, trips and individual benefits.
Political parties hire crowds from slums or construction sites for Rs500 or Rs1,000. There are full-time party workers for each candidate who are paid Rs500 to Rs1,000 on an average, depending on their skills.
However, the SEC has specified that party workers be paid Rs200 per day.
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