Candidates face difficulties in presenting election expenses online

Aurangabad, Jan 23:

Elections for 21 Gram Panchayats (GP) in Waluj area were held recently. Meanwhile, the candidates are experiencing various difficulties in presenting the expenses incurred during the election campaign online.

Candidates were allowed to spend for campaigning based on the number of members for this election. Candidates were also instructed to open a separate bank account to keep details of expenses incurred during the election campaign. Facility to provide their campaigning expenses on the True-Voter app was also made available. It is mandatory to provide details of expenditure within 30 days after the result. The Election Commission has also warned to take action against the winning and losing candidates who do not provide details of expenditure within this period. Candidates contesting the GP elections have opened separate bank accounts, which were set aside for campaigning expenses as per the commission's instructions. However, most of the candidates have paid the campaign expenses out of pocket during the campaign without withdrawing money from their bank accounts.

Candidates suffer inconvenience

Elections for 21 GPs in Waluj area have been held recently, and around 300 candidates have won, and about 1000 candidates have lost. Now that the results have been announced, the winning and losing candidates are having a hard time presenting their campaign expenses online through True-Voter app.

Candidates focus on offline application

Officials of the tehsil office said that most of the candidates in Waluj are visiting the tehsil office for the offline presentation of expenditure due to lack of knowledge and internet while submitting expenses online.