A few months ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, the state election commission (SEC) is planning to come up with a new set of rules that would prevent the corporators from spending funds till the election code of conduct is implemented. According to new rules, corporators will not be able to spend their discretionary funds three months before the polls in order to woo voters.
Intending for local body polls to be held in a more transparent manner, the Supreme Court had passed an order about funds being spent for general elections on August 28, 1969 and the Centre, too, has set a few rules based on that judgement.
As per the proposed rules, corporators can also be fined for breaking the law with regards to spending discretionary funds.
“We are considering bringing in a new set of guidelines for local body polls, as directed by the Supreme Court and also by the Centre.
One of the issues would be on corporators of municipal bodies spending discretionary funds. We are thinking of preventing any last-minute expenditure of the discretionary funds,” said an SEC official.
The state’s 10 major municipal corporations, including in Mumbai, Thane and Nagpur, and over 160 municipal councils would go for polls in February next year. Also, 26 zilla parishads would have elections in March. The local body polls are popularly known as mini-elections, and are also a litmus test for political parties.
Elaborating on the issue, the SEC official said that the election commission has taken notice of it and also received a few complaints that corporators spend their funds just before the code of conduct comes into force.
This gives a benefit to the elected representatives, who can showcase the works done by them. However, the other candidates in the race do not get the same advantage.
“We are trying to bring some discipline into the election process so that it is conducted in a free and fair manner. All the candidates should get equal opportunity to contest the polls. We are in the process of finalising the decision and would soon declare it,” the official said.
