Final Cover Election Expenditure - Election Commission of India

Annexure-34Election Commission’s letter No. 76/2004/J.S.II, dated 12.03.2004 addressed to the Chief ElectoralOfficers of all States and Union Territories.Subject: - Instructions for guidance of contesting candidates for lodging their accounts ofelection expenses - Inspection of accounts of election expenditure as an additional measure -regarding.I am directed to invite your attention to the Commission's circular dated 29-10-2003, on thesubject cited. The Commission had directed (in paragraph 5) that the day to day accounts maintained bythe contesting candidates in the prescribed register together with the supporting documents shall bemade available by them for inspection to the District Election Officer/Returning Officer/ElectionObserver or officer specifically designated for the purpose, once in every three days during the processof election.At the meeting with the representatives of the recognised political parties, many of the partiesrequested for review of these instructions as visiting the office of the Returning Officer on every thirdday was inconvenient to the candidate in many cases. The Commission has considered this matter andhas reviewed its directions in this regard and has now directed that the scrutiny of the accounts need bedone only on three occasions during the entire election period. Accordingly, the candidate shall makeavailable the documents pertaining to their accounts of expenditure for inspection to the District ElectionOfficer/Returning Officer/Election Observer at least thrice during the process of election. However, itshall be ensured that there is a gap of about 4 (four) days in between each inspection and the firstinspection may be on or after the third day from the last date for withdrawal of candidatures.The Commission's directions contained in its letter dated 29 th October, 2003 stand modifiedonly in respect of the inspection schedule mentioned above. All other instructions contained thereinremain applicable and in force. These, along with the present modified inspection schedule shall beconveyed to all the contesting candidates and the Election Observers appointed by the Commission inconnection with General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2004.141