Final Cover Election Expenditure - Election Commission of India

12. Report by the CEOThe CEO shall examine report submitted by the DEO, and shall forward the same to theCommission within a week after receiving the report from the DEO along with additionalcomments if he/she feels so.13. Role of the Returning Officer in Expenditure Monitoring:Returning officer will give the expenditure register to the candidates at the time of filing ofnomination papers. He will hold a meeting of all candidates immediately after the allotmentof symbols to explain the process of expenditure monitoring, legal provisions relating toelection expenditure and consequences of non-compliance of these provisions. He alsoissues the permission letters promptly to the candidates as required under the law or rules.13.1. He along with the Expenditure Observer shall arrange to inspect the expenditure register ofeach candidate at least three times during the campaign period, and will issue notices to thecandidates to explain any discrepancy between the candidate’s expenditure register and theShadow Observation Register. He will also supervise complaints monitoring system andensure that every complaint is inquired into within 24 hours of receipt.13.2. He will ensure that all the documents required to be put on the notice board of the RO underthese or any other instructions, rules or law are put on the notice board of the RO. He willensure that the copies of documents when demanded are given immediately to members ofthe Public on payment of the prescribed fee.13.3. It is decided by the Commission that the affidavits on declaration of Assets and liabilities bythe candidates of recognized political parties are put on the website on the same day. Theaffidavits in respect of other candidates may be put within one day after scrutiny ofnominations.14. Role of the District Election Officer (DEO).14.1. It is the responsibility of the DEO that the entire expenditure monitoring mechanism runseffectively in the district. The DEO will be assisted by various teams of the ExpenditureMonitoring Cell. The DEO shall extend all help including logistics to the ExpenditureObserver and the Assistant Expenditure Observers in performing their functions. Since useof money vitiates the electoral process and leads to violence and other electoral offences andmalpractices, he should not neglect this area. In fact, effective control on election expenseswill result in smooth conduct of elections.14.2. The DEO shall prepare a list of eligible Central Government and Central PSU employeesand give it to the Expenditure Observer for appointment of Assistant Expenditure Observers.The DEO shall provide logistical support to all the expenditure monitoring teams.The DEO in meeting with political parties shall discuss the rates of various items of electionrelated expenses and obtain their views before notification. The rates for urban and ruralareas may be different. The prevalent rates shall be considered. Similarly, the DEO shall fixthe refreshment expenses of the workers or, the polling agents/counting agents appointed by44