Election Agents trained on expenditure details

GANGTOK, 30 Mar [IPR]: Training of the Election Agents on Expenditure was held at the Conference Hall of District Administrative Center, Gangtok, East Sikkim today. The training was attended by the representatives of the political parties and candidates from the Assembly Constituencies of East Sikkim, Sikkim Parliamentary Constituency and Sangha Assembly Constituency. The training, chaired by the Returning Officer cum District Election Officer, East also had the presence of IRS, Central Expenditure Observer, Darse Samuel.

During the training the representatives of the political parties and the candidates were trained on the various aspects of expenditure involved during the election process. They were informed on ways to lodge expenditure with the District Election Officer, consequences of defective statements, legal provisions regarding expenditure of candidates, illegal payment and its panel provisions, printing of pamphlets and posters by the candidates, lodging of account with the District Election Officer, particulars of accounts of election expenses etc. 

The Additional District Collector, Administration cum Asst. Returning Officer explained in detail about the various formats to be maintained by the candidates through Power Point Presentation and informed that the candidate is liable to be disqualified if he/she fails to file the expenditure details.

Earlier, Returning Officer cum District Election Officer, East while interacting with the representatives of the political parties and the candidates requested them to file their complaints if any to the flying Squad or the Sector Magistrate who are on the field and are in a position to take action immediately rather than calling the higher authorities at the first instance. This will help the administration to take action immediately on the spot. Further, he urged them to cooperate with the administration in the conduct of the election as the employees in the field are doing what they are meant to do as per the Election Commission of India’s guidelines.

The interactive meeting saw the representatives raise various queries with regard to the process of election which were clarified to the satisfaction of the political parties and the candidates.