ECI raises election expenditure limit for candidates

The Election Commission has enhanced the existing election expenditure limit for candidates in Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies. These limits will be applicable in all upcoming elections. The ceiling on poll expenditure has been raised from 70 lakh  to 95 lakh rupees in bigger states and 54 lakh to 75 lakhs in smaller states. The bigger states include Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka , and the smaller states include Goa, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and UTs. The ceiling on poll expenditure in UT of Jammu and Kashmir has been raised to 95 lakhs. For Assembly constituencies, expenditure limits have been enhanced from 28 lakh rupees 40 lakh rupees in bigger states and from 20 lakhs to 28 lakhs in smaller states. 
Last major revision in the election expenditure limit was carried out in 2014, which was further increased by 10 percent in 2020.  EC had formed a Committee to study the cost factors and other related issues, and make suitable recommendations. The Committee invited suggestions from political parties, Chief Electoral Officers and Election Observers.  Committee found that there has been an increase in the number of electors and Cost Inflation Index since 2014 substantially. It also factored into the changing modes of campaigning, which is gradually shifting to virtual campaign.The Commission has accepted the recommendations of the Committee and decided to enhance the existing election expenditure limit for candidates.