Election Commission raises expenditure limit for candidates in Parliamentary and Assembly polls

The Election Commission of India (ECI) raised the existing election expenditure limit for candidates in Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies, due to the rise in inflation. The new limits will be applicable in all upcoming elections in the country. The last major revision in the election expenditure limit for candidates was carried out in 2014, which was further increased by 10 % in 2020.

Parliamentary constituencies poll expenditure ceiling:

• Bigger states (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka)- Increased to Rs 95 lakh from previous limit of Rs 70 lakh.
• Smaller states (Goa, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and UTs) – Increased to 75 lakh from previous Rs 54 lakh.
• UT of Jammu and Kashmir has been raised to 95 lakhs.

Assembly constituencies poll expenditure limits:

• Bigger states: Increased to Rs 40 lakh from Rs 28 lakhs
• Smaller states: Increased to Rs 28 lakhs from Rs 20 lakhs