Election expenditure monitoring coordination meeting held
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 08 2017: A coordination meeting with Central election expenditure observers of Imphal East district was held today at the Panchayat Bhawan, Imphal East, Porompat.

The meeting, presided by Imphal East DEO Ningthoujam Geoffrey, was also attended by the officials engaged in election machinery.

Training programme for all the expenditure monitoring teams including three Central expenditure observers for Imphal East district, who arrived today, was also conducted.

The three observers are Pushkraj Bharti, Dr Prakash Borgohain and Jayshankar Prakash Upadhyay.

The three officers will be in the district till February 9.Their next visit will from February 19 till March 4 .

During the meeting, Dr Borgohain congratulated the security personnel for their efforts in the preparations for the ensuing Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

The officer also made a presentation and explained how money can influence elections.

He elaborated on the source of party and candidate campaign funds, expenditure and repayment.

He said if any candidate crosses the expenditure limit of Rs 20 lakh during the election campaign, legal actions can be initiated.

He explained several legal provisions to help check the use of black money during the election and further highlighted the provisions under Representation of the People's Act 1951; Conduct of Elections Rules 196, Instructions of Commission; Indian Penal Code 1860, Income Tax Laws and State Excise Acts & Rules.

Dr Borgohain also elaborated Section 10A in the Representation of the People Act 1951: Disqualification for failure to lodge account of election expenses.

Upadhyay elaborated and explained the new expenditure monitoring machineries including expenditure observer (EO), assistant expenditure observer (AEO), flying squad and static surveillance teams (FS and SST), video surveillance team (VST), video viewing team (VVT), media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC), accounting team, liquor monitoring team, ESCs and ESPs.

He also explained the need for candidates to open separate bank accounts and said candidates should open separate bank account for election expenditure at least one day prior to filing of nomination papers.

The account can be opened in joint name of the candidate and his election agent anywhere in the State.

SP Kabib also appealed to all to ensure a free, fair and smooth election.

The meeting was also attended by all Returning Officers of the district, district police nodal officers, district nodal officers (Excise), nodal officer IT Investigation Cell, nodal officer Narcotics cell, nodal officer EEM/MCC, nodal officer control room and complaint cell.

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