Tamil Nadu: Calculation of Candidate’s Expenditure as per Election Commission Rules

Tamil Nadu: Chennai District Election Officer and Corporation Commissioner J. Kumargurubaran has stated that the election expenses incurred by candidates will be calculated in accordance with the price list provided by the Election Commission.

A consultative meeting for leaders of all political parties was held on Monday regarding the rules to be adhered to during the election. Presided over by Chennai District Election Officer J. Kumargurubaran, this meeting took place in the officials’ conference hall located within the Corporation’s Ripon Building complex. Representatives from political parties recognized by the Election Commission—including the DMK, AIADMK, and BJP—participated in this meeting.

Subsequently, Returning Officer J. Kumargurubaran briefed reporters: There are 28.30 lakh voters across the 16 Assembly constituencies falling under the Chennai district. To facilitate this, a total of 4,086 polling stations—comprising 4,097 main polling stations and 6 auxiliary polling stations—have been established across 978 locations.

A total of 375 zonal teams, comprising both police and election officials, have been appointed. 16,500 personnel will be directly involved in the election process. Furthermore, security for 785 polling stations situated at 178 locations will be provided by paramilitary forces, as these centers have been identified as sensitive.

Monitoring: A total of 13,634 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and 6,349 Control Units have been readied. To monitor election-related violations, 48 ​​Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Teams (3 for each Assembly constituency), along with 32 Video Surveillance Teams (2 for each Assembly constituency), have been constituted. Additionally, 16 Video Viewing Teams, 16 Assistant Audit Teams, and 16 Assistant Expenditure Monitoring Teams have been appointed. A 24-hour control room has been established at the Corporation’s Ripon Building, accessible via the toll-free number 1800 425 7012.

Expenditure: Election expenses will be calculated based on the price list issued by the Election Commission. Permission to organize election rallies can be obtained by applying online (via the ‘Suvita’ app) 48 hours in advance through a ‘single-window system’; this permission will be granted only for holding rallies at designated venues. He stated that following the elections, votes for 5 constituencies will be counted at Queen Mary’s College, for 6 constituencies at Loyola College, and for 5 constituencies at Anna University, Guindy.

Monitoring of Mobile Money Transfers by Banks

In view of the elections, necessary measures have been implemented in Chennai to monitor the movement of goods and money. While Flying Squads have been constituted to keep a watch on individuals carrying cash, those transferring money via mobile phones will also be monitored. If repeated money transfers are made from a specific mobile phone, or if transfers exceeding a prescribed limit are detected, information regarding such transactions will be obtained through the banks. Based on this information, the concerned election officials will be notified, and appropriate action will be initiated, stated District Election Officer J. Kumarakurubaran.

During a consultative meeting held with representatives of political parties, the District Election Officer of Chennai outlined the details regarding the prescribed rates for daily election-related expenses: the rental charge for a plastic chair is ₹11, for a table is ₹110, for a cushioned seat is ₹165, and for a sofa is ₹380.

Regarding party paraphernalia and performances: the rate for an 8-by-4-foot party flag has been fixed at ₹40; for a banana tree, it is ₹750; for bursting firecrackers (specifically a ‘Thousand-wala’ string), it is ₹650; for 4 hours of ‘Mela Thalam’ (traditional drumming/percussion), it is ₹6,500; for the use of horses, it is ₹6,000; and for 3 hours of ‘Karakattam’ and ‘Mayilattam’ (traditional dance forms), the rate has been set at ₹11,000. Water bottles, food… for election campaigning, prices have been fixed as follows: ₹7 for a small water bottle; ₹50 for vegetarian meals and boxes of ‘variety rice’ (different types of rice dishes); ₹50 per 100 grams for snacks (excluding fruits); and ₹90 per 100 grams for sweets. Similarly, campaign costs have also been fixed for vehicles.