Expenditure Observers for Baramulla hold review meeting at Dak Bungalow

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Sensitize the representatives of Political Parties, Nodal Officers about ECI guidelines regarding maintenance of expenditure books

BARAMULLA: In an effort to ensure transparency and fairness in the upcoming Assembly Elections 2024, Election Expenditure Observers (EOs) for Baramulla, Sidlingappa Teli and Prakash Borgohain chaired a meeting today with the representatives of political parties and teams responsible for overseeing the expenditure of candidates and political parties participating in the elections, at Dak Bungalow here.

The meeting was attended by the District Election Officer Baramulla, Minga Sherpa;  Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, Mohammad Zaid; Additional District Development Commissioner Baramulla, Syed Qamar Sajad; Superintendent of Police, Sopore, Divya Dev, representatives of political parties, Nodal Officers of Expenditure Monitoring Committees, Video Surveillance Teams (VSTs), Video Viewing Teams (VVTs), Model Code of Conduct, Accounting Teams, and others.

At the outset, the EOs were provided a detailed briefing by the DEO regarding the formation of Expenditure Monitoring Teams, SSTs, VSTs, and VVTs, and accounting teams to oversee the expenditures of candidates participating in the elections and to enforce and inspect violations of the Model Code of Conduct as per the guidelines set forth by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Minga Sherpa further informed that the administration has made all necessary preparations, with different teams collaborating effectively to ensure a level playing field for the candidates contesting Assembly Elections to guarantee free, fair, and seamless conduct of elections in all the seven assembly constituencies of the district.

Speaking during the meeting, Sidlingappa Teli emphasized to all the representatives of the political parties the importance of maintaining accurate expenditure records while adhering to legal expenditure limits of the candidates in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Meanwhile, Prakash Borgohain directed the officers and concerned team members, instructing them to prevent any illicit or illegal activities by political parties aimed at enticing voters during the election period.

Later, the EOs held a comprehensive training session for the nodal officers of expenditure monitoring teams, VST, SST, accounting teams, and other concerned teams to ensure transparency and strict adherence to ECI guidelines during Assembly Elections 2024.