The poll spending limit for candidates contesting Lok Sabha and assembly elections has been enhanced by 10 per cent based on the recommendation of the Election Commission that contestants be allowed to spend more on campaigning keeping in mind difficulties they may face due to Covid-19 curbs. The hike in expenditure limit will help candidates contesting Bihar assembly poll as well asbypolls to one Lok Sabha and 59 assembly seats. 

The notification issued by the Law Ministry on Monday night said the maximum expenditure a candidate can incur for campaigning in Lok Sabha polls is now Rs 77 lakh. It was so far Rs 70 lakh. For assemblies, it has been hiked from Rs 28 lakh to Rs 30.8 lakh.The maximum expenditure limit for candidates to spend for their campaigning varies from state to state.The notification, which amended the Conduct of Elections Rules, does not mention that the limit has been hiked keeping in mind the pandemic and whether it is limited for polls being held amid COVID-19.

The amended rules, the notification said, "Shall come into force on the date of their publication in the official Gazette and shall remain in force till such date as may be notified by the Central Government."

The poll spending limit for candidates contesting Lok Sabha and assembly elections has been enhanced by 10 per cent based on the recommendation of the Election Commission that contestants be allowed to spend more on campaigning keeping in mind difficulties they may face due to Covid-19 curbs. The hike in expenditure limit will help candidates contesting Bihar assembly poll as well asbypolls to one Lok Sabha and 59 assembly seats. 

The notification issued by the Law Ministry on Monday night said the maximum expenditure a candidate can incur for campaigning in Lok Sabha polls is now Rs 77 lakh. It was so far Rs 70 lakh. For assemblies, it has been hiked from Rs 28 lakh to Rs 30.8 lakh.The maximum expenditure limit for candidates to spend for their campaigning varies from state to state.The notification, which amended the Conduct of Elections Rules, does not mention that the limit has been hiked keeping in mind the pandemic and whether it is limited for polls being held amid COVID-19.

The amended rules, the notification said, "Shall come into force on the date of their publication in the official Gazette and shall remain in force till such date as may be notified by the Central Government."