ZP poll expenditure limit increased

PANJIM: The State Election Commission (SEC) on Tuesday increased the maximum poll expenditure by each candidate for the forthcoming Zilla Panchayat polls from Rs 75,000 to Rs 5 lakh. The polls, scheduled for March 18, will be the first ZP elections that will be contested on party lines. 

Addressing the media, State Election Commissioner Dr M Modassir said that the expenditure ceiling for candidates has increased since elections will be held on party lines and due to inflation over the last five years. The last ZP polls were held in 2010.

“The expenditure has gone up since last five years. Now since elections would be on party lines, the parties would like to spend money, apart from the candidates themselves. That is why we decided to increase the ceiling to 

Rs 5 lakh from Rs 75, 000,” Modassir said.

“We had an option either to keep it artificially low or you allow them to keep it clean (by giving the extra expenditure),” he said. 

Modassir held a meeting with returning officers and assistant returning officers (RO) for the elections Tuesday evening, where discussions were held about the present delimitation, logistics, finalizing of polling booths and the funds that each RO would require. 

In yet another decision, the SEC has decided not to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) but return to the system of ballot papers. Voters will also not have the option of None of the Above (NOTA).

“Just because it is a fashion in bigger states to hold the election on EVMs, I don’t think we should also follow it. Things are manageable in Goa. There is a charm in holding the elections through ballot papers,” Modassir opined. 

The commissioner said the State would be saving around Rs 4 to 5 crore by not opting for the EVMs. He said that the NOTA option should be notified by the State government in the People’s Representation Act, which is currently governing the upcoming ZP polls.

Counting for the 50 ZP wards will be held on March 20. The code of conduct will come into force from February 28, which will not cover municipal areas. The filing of nomination will begin from February 28 and go on till March 7.