DEO Sawhney holds meeting with assistant expenditure observors, directs them to keep strict vigil on election expenditure 

Ludhiana, May 2, 2024: For explaining the role and responsibility of various monitoring teams constituted for keeping an eye over the poll expenditure and for ensuring enforcement of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the Lok Sabha-2024 elections, District Election Officer (DEO)-cum-Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sakshi Sawhney conducted a meeting with the assistant expenditure observors in her office on Thursday. She directed the assistant expenditure observors to keept strict vigil on election expenditure.

DEO Sawhney said that nominations for the Lok Sabha-2024 elections would be held from May 7 to May 14. Nomination papers would not be accepted on May 11 (Saturday) and May 12 (Sunday) due to public holidays. Election Commission of India has set an expenditure limit of Rs 95 lakh for every candidate during the 2024 general elections. So, all team members have to be apprised about the methodology to calculate the poll expenditure. ADC Anmol Singh Dhaliwal among other officials of district administration were also present in the meeting. 

DEO Sawhney said that these teams have been given major responsibility to monitor the election expenditure of candidates and parties and it was necessary to impart them training about the methods to fulfill their duty. Training workshops have also been held in the past to train them. She said that all team members have been explained about the role and responsibilities entrusted upon them by the Election Commission of India.

DEO Sawhney said that to assist the monitoring teams, several Flying Squad Teams (FST), Static Surveillance Team (SST), Video Surveillance Team (VST), and Video Viewing teams (VVT) have been formed by the administration.

Meanwhile, DEO Sawhney reiterated its commitment to hold free, fair and transparent elections in the district.