FGG demands audit of election expenditures amid allegations of waste
Hyderabad: Suspecting that a lot of election expenditure is being wasted by the state machinery while conducting the state elections, the Hyderabad based think tank, Forum for Good governance(FGG) called for an audit of the election expenditure by the Auditor General and make it public. FGG argues that the substantial costs incurred during the elections, particularly Rs 622 crores spent during the recently concluded parliamentary elections and Rs. 701 crores spent during the 2023 state Assembly necessitate a thorough review to ensure transparency and accountability.
“When it comes to conducting elections by the Election Commission of India, with all the existing staff of Government, Government buildings like schools, Government vehicles and others, the Election Commission of India spent Rs. 622 crores for 17 Parliament Constituencies which works out to Rs. 36.58 crores per constituency. Since election expenditure is not audited by A.G. it appears a lot of wasteful expenditure is taking place” underscores FGG. Further they request the Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana to kindly get the expenditure audited by A.G.
During the state Assembly elections held in November, 2023 an amount of Rs. 701 crores were spent. When requested for expenditure details from the office of Chief electoral officer ( C.E.O.) who in turn directed to district Collectors who inturn wrote to R.D.O.s and R.D.O.s to refered it to Tahsildars. It appears the officers have no details of expenditure incurred or they are avoiding to give details of expenditure, said FGG.
In the recently held Parliament elections, Election Commission of India has put a limit of Rs. 95 lakhs as permissible expenditure to be incurred by each contesting candidate. The candidate has to conduct rallies, make efforts to visit all villages / localities in the Constituency and request for votes. He has to provide food and transport to all his followers assisting him during the elections. For all these activities the expenditure limit is Rs.95 lakhs only. Further the Candidates expenditure is regularly monitored by election expenditure observers and the details are put in public domain.
Forum for Good Governance once again requests the Chief Electoral Officer Telangana to get the expenditure incurred during Assembly and Parliament elections audited by A.G and put it in public domain.
