5 new measures adopted by the Election Commission for Assembly polls

The Election Commission announced the poll dates for elections to five state assemblies today. Here are the new measures which the EC has taken:

Election expenditure
The EC set the campaign expenses limit per candidate at between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 28 lakh in the five states. Expenditure will be strictly monitored, with stalls plying voters with tea and snacks outside polling centers to be counted in the candidates' expense budget.


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Paid News
With the help of the Press Council of India, EC will monitor paid news. However, unlike prior elections in which paid news would be banned, this time media coverage paid to favour any party or candidate will be included in their election expense budget.

Environment-friendly elections
Discouraging the use of environmentally hazardous materials like plastic while campaigning, the CEC advised parties to refrain from reckless use of loudspeakers and crackers. Police officers and election officials would ensure clampdown in these respects.

Colourful voter guides
Constituents will be given free voter guides, replete with colourful text and images to familiarise them with candidates and voting procedure. The EC also announced that posters informing the voters of locations of booths, and other Dos and Don'ts were mandatory at all polling stations.

Also Read: Manipur, UP, Punjab, Uttarakhand & Goa set for polls. Verdict on March 11

Height of polling booths raised
Taking note of complaints received by the Election Commission (EC) in previous elections, the height of the voting compartment will be raised to 30 inches this time. This has been done to conceal the upper part of the voter's body, the movement of which might give away the button they were pressing.