Rajasthan Doubles Election Expenditure Limits for Panchayat and Urban Body Candidates

Jaipur: The Rajasthan State Election Commission has announced a significant increase in the maximum expenditure limits for candidates contesting Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections. The new notification allows candidates for positions such as Sarpanch, Panchayat Samiti member, and Zila Parishad member to spend double the amount permitted in the previous elections. This move aims to make the electoral process more transparent, practical, and timely.

New Expenditure Limits for Key Positions
State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh explained that expenditure limits are periodically revised. For the upcoming elections:

• Zila Parishad members: Increased from ₹1.5 lakh in 2019 to ₹3 lakh.
• Panchayat Samiti members: Increased from ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh.
• Sarpanch: Increased from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh.

Expenditure Limits Over the Last Decade

• Zila Parishad: 2014 – ₹80,000; 2019 – ₹1.5 lakh; 2025 – ₹3 lakh.
• Panchayat Samiti: 2014 – ₹40,000; 2019 – ₹75,000; 2025 – ₹1.5 lakh.
• Sarpanch: 2014 – ₹20,000; 2019 – ₹50,000; 2025 – ₹1 lakh.

Urban Local Body Elections

• Municipal Corporation (Councilor): 2014 – ₹80,000; 2019 – ₹2.5 lakh; 2025 – ₹3.5 lakh.
• Municipal Council: 2014 – ₹60,000; 2019 – ₹1.5 lakh; 2025 – ₹2 lakh.
• Nagar Palika: 2014 – ₹40,000; 2019 – ₹1 lakh; 2025 – ₹1.5 lakh.

The increased expenditure limits are expected to reflect current election realities and provide candidates the necessary resources while maintaining electoral transparency.