NEW DELHI, February 4: Expenditure observers, appointed by the Election Commission to keep tabs on the election expenses incurred by various candidates in the capital, have alleged that "their appointment is just an eyewash".An expenditure observer told The Indian Express: "We cannot initiate any action against the candidate. We are nothing more than chartered accountants. We don't know to what extent our report is useful." "As of now, the Election Commission (EC) has not initiated any action against anybody for furnishing "false" expenditure reports during the previous Lok Sabha elections," the observer added, refusing to divulge the name of any such candidates.However, these seven expenditure observers have created terror amongst the candidates forcing them to keep close watch on each and every expenditure incurred during the poll processes.No wonder, electioneering in the city of rallies, protest marches and volatile police-public clashes is at such a low key. No one knows for sure howthese observers have been functioning.But such is the fear of God instilled in them by the EC that they would rather err on the side of caution. When contacted, R N Mangla, officer on special duty (election) told The Indian Express that though no clear distinction was made between the poll observers and expenditure observers as both of them have been assigned to keep close watch for fair and free elections, the expenditure observers have been additionally asked to monitor the expenditure aspects of the candidates in the election fray.Before they submit their report on expenses incurred by the candidates to the EC, they will tally the balance of the candidate's account on the date of filing nominations and completion of the election. This detail will then be compared with the break-up of expenses which the candidates will place before the Election Commission. These expenditure observers said Mangla will visit their constituency thrice before the election is completed and keep tabs on the smallestof expenditure made by or for the candidate. That also includes things like service of tea, corner meetings, and fuel spent by the candidates while driving through respective constituencies.To maintain election expenses, all candidates have been given two forms. While one form contains the details of total expenditure incurred by the candidates, the other form contains over 30 heads about the break-up of the expenditure. The candidates will have to give details of the expenses incurred on purchase of electoral rolls, hiring of campaign office, printing of poll manifesto, posters and other printing materials, canvassing through media, advertisement in various newspapers, cut-outs, hoardings, banners, flags, gates, dias erected for the candidate's meeting."If the guideline is strictly followed, there is hardly chance to pump more money in the electioneering by the candidates," said one of the observers while narrating their modus operandi.The Election Commission has fixed Rs 15 lakh for acandidate to spend on the poll process. Last year, the amount was only Rs 4.5 lakh.However, he further said, "The only problem being faced by the observers is the large geographical area, except Chandni Chowk, of the Lok Sabha constituencies and practically it is not possible for the expenditure observers to visit each and every part of the constituency to assess expenditure."
