Rajasthan sets strict spending limits for Panchayat elections

The State Election Commission has issued strict guidelines and spending limits for the upcoming Rajasthan Panchayat elections to ensure transparency and curb the influence of money power. Candidates who exceed the prescribed expenditure limits face a potential six-year ban from contesting elections.

Specific spending caps have been established for different roles: candidates for District Council members may spend up to 3 lakh rupees, Panchayat Samiti members up to 1.5 lakh rupees, and Gram Panchayat Sarpanch candidates up to 1 lakh rupees. All candidates are required to maintain a detailed register of every expense and submit a full account to the District Election Officer within the stipulated timeframe following the election.

New regulations also restrict campaign logistics. District Council candidates are permitted a maximum of three vehicles, Panchayat Samiti candidates up to two, and Sarpanch candidates only one. The use of heavy vehicles such as buses and trucks, as well as animal-drawn carts, is prohibited. Additionally, the use of loudspeakers is banned between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.