Objectives Monitoring the Account lodged by the candidates so that further actions can be taken. To monitor:- Candidate total expenses Funds given by political party to the candidate Funds given by others to the candidate Expense understated or not Candidate expenses exceed ceiling amount or not 2

Introduction Expense by candidate over public meetings, posters, banners, vehicle etc. Ceiling for candidate expenditure Different for different states and elections.  This account must be a correct account of election expenses.  Each candidate has to lodge an account of election expenditure before the DEO within thirty days of declaration of result.  And it should be in a manner prescribed by Election Commission of India.

Introduction After scrutiny of the account of election expenses maintained by the candidate/his election agent, the DEO will send a report to the Commission in prescribed format. The candidate who did not lodge his account or if there are discrepancies in the account gets a notice by the Commission, which is served on the candidate by the DEO. Then DEO will send a Supplementary report with the reply of candidates who got the notices 4

Election Commission Can even Disqualify a candidate in case the account is found to be incorrect or untrue. Grounds: 1. The candidate does not lodge an account of election expenses in time and manner. 2. The account lodged by the candidate is incorrect and untrue.

Process flow Lodging of Election Expenses Account by the Candidate to DEO DEO will send a report to the Commission in prescribed format through CEO Election Commission filter the accounts on grounds : Account Lodged ? /Lodged in Time ? /Lodged in Manner ? & Issues Notices to the Candidate DEO Supplementary Report Election Commission can further take action on candidate or even disqualify him if not satisfied with the Candidate’s reply

Lodging of Accounts by the candidate The candidate shall lodge the account of his elections expenses with the DEO within 30 days from the date of declaration of result. If 30 th day is a state holiday then the next working day will be the last day for the candidate to lodge the account. The account lodged should be in the format prescribed by the Election commission. This account must be a correct account of election expenses. 7

ROLES ECI Can monitor the candidate accounts online Feed details like Result date Last date for lodging of account Ceiling amount CEO Can monitor the candidate accounts online Give comments on DEO report DEO Data entry of the scrutiny reports is to be done by DEOs as per software provided by the commission

DEO module Data entry Date of Lodging of accounts Defects in format Abstract statement (Part I to Part IV) not filled up/not signed. Duly sworn in Affidavit of the candidate is not filed. Register of Day to day accounts along with bank register and cash register not duly signed by the candidate. Vouchers in respect of items of election expenditure not submitted/not signed by the candidate or his election agent. Self Certified copy of the statement of Bank account for election expenses not submitted. All receipts for election expenses were not deposited in the aforesaid bank a/c and all payments except petty expenses were not made by cheque.

DEO module contd… Candidate expense details Public meetings/Rally Campaign materials Media expenses including paid news, surrogate news Vehicles Erection of gates,arches,cutouts,banners Campaign workers Visiting dignitaries other than star campaigners Others Funds given by Political party: Party name Mode of payment(cash/ cheque or in kind) Amount

DEO module contd… Funds given by Others: Sponsor’s name Mode of payment(cash/ cheque or in kind) Amount Expenses Understated: Item of Expenditure Details (if any) Date of observation Page no. of shadow observation register Amount observed Amount according to candidate Amount understated (auto calculated)

Actions Notice issued to the candidates with defects in the account lodged by ECI Notice served by DEO and got an acknowledgement Hearing done Reply received Disqualified Case dropped ECI satisfied with the reply Yes No

Types of Notices Not Lodged Not in Time Not in Manner Not in (Time & Manner)

CEO module Can monitor all candidates accounts. Can give comments on DEO report submitted.

ECI module Result date Last date for Lodging of accounts Expenditure ceiling amount Notice printing and issuing Action on Candidates

Reports Candidate wise:- Complete DEO Report Expense Details AC wise:- Summary Report of DEO Candidates with Defects Candidates exceeds expenditure ceiling Action taken on candidate District wise:- Candidates with Defects Action taken on candidate State wise:- Party expenses on Candidate

THANKS 17