K'taka polls: EC ceiling on amount spent by candidates

To keep a tab on the spending limit of candidates contesting in the forthcoming Karnataka elections, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer has introduced a system wherein a candidate will be allowed to use a maximum of six vehicles during his election campaign.

Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Bangalore told rediff.com that the candidates would have to apply with the returning officer of the respective constituency for passes, which will be put up on their vehicles.

Each candidate will be entitled for just six passes.

There was no such limit on the number of vehicles in the earlier elections and the candidates could apply for any number of passes.

However, there is a ceiling on the amount that can be spent by each candidate  and the Election Commission of India has made it clear that a candidate cannot spend more than Rs 10 lakh for his campaign.
 
The Chief Electoral Officer's office has made it clear that if an extra vehicle is seen accompanying the candidate, it would amount to violation of the code of conduct and action could be initiated against the candidate.