CANDIDATES TO FURNISH DETAILS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

SHIMLA: For the first time in Himachal, candidates have been asked to reveal their social media details in the affidavit while filing nominations.

Besides this, candidates will also have to furnish details of the income source of their spouse.

So far, only the income of the candidate and spouse had to be furnished but now the source of income for the spouse also has to be mentioned in the affidavit for more transparency.

Pushpendra Rajput, the chief electoral officer of Himachal, said that a contesting candidate will have to issue account payee cheques for any item of expenditure exceeding ₹20,000.

Rajput held a meeting with representatives of political parties regarding poll expenditures on Saturday.

He told the representatives of various political parties that every contesting candidate will have to open a separate bank account for election expenditure at least a day before the candidate files nomination.

“This account could also be opened as a joint account with his/her election agent. The contesting candidate will have to issue account payee cheques for any item of expenditure exceeding ₹20,000,” he added.

The total expenditure cannot exceed a maximum limit of ₹28,00,000 lakh per assembly constituency.

This expenditure includes public meetings, rallies, posters, banners vehicles and advertisements in print and electronic media.

CPM, BJP COMPLAIN ABOUT ‘DRINKS PARTY’ IN THEOG REST HOUSE

The BJP and CPM have complained about a video of a drinks party being organised in a government rest house in Theog on Friday evening.

The video is being widely circulated on social media platforms.

CPM candidate from Theog Rakesh Singh informed Shimla deputy commissioner Rohan Chand Thakur about the liquor party at around 9pm on Saturday .

He also sent a video and photographs of the party.

The BJP’s local unit has also made a complaint to the election commission regarding the same.

In both complaints, it was said that the local Congress leaders and some government officers were present at the party. Shimla DC Rohan Chand Thakur said Theog sub-divisional magistrate has been asked to probe the matter.

“I will take action against erring officers after getting the inquiry report. This will not be tolerated,” he said.