EC allows electoral agents’ bank accounts in expenditure filings.
The Election Commission (EC) has made a provision to include bank account number of the electoral agent along with the candidate in submitting information on electoral expenditure.
To this end, the EC has amended the Election Conduct Rules, 2008 and a gazette notification was issued on Wednesday.
Earlier, exercising the powers conferred by Article 94 of the Representation of the People Order, 1972 (President’s Order No. 155 of 1972), the EC made further amendments to sub-rule (1) of rule 9 of the Election Conduct Rules, 2008.
Under the revised rule, the account number of the electoral agent along with the information on electoral expenditure of the candidate should be mentioned while filling nomination form-1.
In the fourth para of form-1 under schedule-1, the phrase like ‘candidate or account number of the electoral agent’ will be included at the third part following the declaration of the nominated candidate titled ‘ bank account for electoral expenditure’.
The amendments have paved the way to mention the account number of the electoral agent along with the candidate to verify the bank account on the electoral expenditure.
Changes have come in the rules of candidate’s affidavit along with the Election Conduct Rules, 2008.
In the revise affidavit rule, the explanation of the word ‘accused’ means charge has been framed by the court against the particular person.
Even submitting of the income related information of the husband/wife, child and the dependents has been made optional in the amended rules.
The EC has brought changes in the list of the electoral symbols through amending the Election Conduct Rules, 2008.
According to the sub-rule (1) of rule 9 of the Election Conduct Rules, 2008, any competent candidate are allowed to get a particular symbol based on the availability from the enlisted symbols excluding the suspended symbol under article 1 of chapter 20 of the existing rule.
The EC gazette has published the list of a total 120 electoral symbols while the symbol of ‘Boat’ has been suspended.
