Kailashpati Mishra, Patna
Lok Sabha Election 2024 The Election Commission has increased the maximum limit of expenditure by candidates in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 95 lakh. However, in reality the expenditure is many times more than this. The expenditure limit set by the Commission for the candidates for this time’s Lok Sabha elections is about 26 percent more than that of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. According to the report of Center for Media Studies (CMS), in 2019, on an average, more than Rs 100 crore was spent per Lok Sabha seat across the country. This year this figure is expected to be close to two hundred crores. If seen this way, around eight thousand crores can be spent on the forty Lok Sabha seats of Bihar. It is bound to have an impact on the state’s economy and revenue collection. According to economists, increasing cash flow in the economy is considered a good sign.
Estimated expenditure of around Rs 1047 per voter
According to the Center for Media Studies, on an average around Rs 100 crore was spent in every Lok Sabha constituency across the country in the 2019 elections. In the 2024 elections, this amount is expected to increase to Rs 200 crore i.e. a total expenditure of more than Rs 1.20 lakh crore. This time Rs 200 crore is expected to be spent per Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar. There are about 7.64 crore voters in Bihar and if a total of Rs 8,000 crore is spent in the state, then about Rs 1,047 per voter can be spent by the political party and candidates. Similarly, considering the total number of 96.8 crore voters at the national level, approximately Rs 1250 will be spent per voter.
2024 elections will be 38% costlier than 2019
Compared to Lok Sabha elections 2019, the 2024 elections will be 38 percent costlier. This has been assessed on the basis of dearness allowance received by the employees. In the Lok Sabha elections 2019, dearness allowance of central and state employees was around 12 percent, which has increased to 50 percent in January 2024. Seen this way, this election will be 38 percent costlier than the previous one.
How will employment, revenue collection and economy get strengthened?
During elections, the business of transporters, petrol-diesel pumps, food vendors, hotel-restaurants, printing presses and those who arrange for communication usually increases. The expenditure incurred in this sector keeps reaching the market. On such expenditure, the government’s income increases through both GST and VAT. Except the petrol-diesel business, GST is applicable on other items, whereas the state government charges VAT on petrol-diesel. In this way the possibility of increase in revenue collection increases. In a case like elections, where money is received by the concerned people, the expenditure also happens rapidly. A large part of this money is not white money and comes in the form of donations etc., which is not deposited in banks but is spent directly. This process of spending accelerates many sectors of the economy.
BJP spent the most in the last elections
According to the ADR report, in the 2019 elections, seven national and 25 regional parties had told the Election Commission that they raised Rs 6405 crore and spent Rs 2591 crore in 75 days. According to the report, in 2019, BJP had reported receiving Rs 4057 crore through cash and cheque, while Congress had collected Rs 1167 crore. BJP had spent the maximum amount of Rs 1141 crore through cash and cheque, while Congress had spent Rs 626 crore.
What was the limit on election expenditure?
| Year | Expenditure limit (in lakhs of rupees) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 95 |
| 2019 | 70 |
| 2014 | 70 |
| 2009 | 25 |
| 2004 | 25 |
| 1999 | 15 |
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