Election Schedule: More Time – More Money!

Candidates of all political parties in Andhra Pradesh are on the tenterhooks since the election schedule has been out. There is a gap of 57 days from the day the election schedule was released to the polling date. They are worried over the increasing election expenditure they would have to incur in these 57 days. The more number of days of electioneering means more expenditure.

Usually, candidates would prefer less number of days for electioneering.

During 2019 elections, the candidates faced a lot of trouble even when this duration was just 27 days. They are worried over the addition of 30 days this time.

As per the calculations of the Election Commission, each MLA candidate will have to bear an expenditure of Rs 38 lakh while it would escalate to Rs 90 lakh for each MP candidate. However, it is a known secret that each candidate would spend more than these projected figures. In case of MLA candidates contesting for general category seats, each of the aspirants will have to spend nothing less 10 Crs to Rs 100 crore.

Similarly, Political talk is that MP candidates from Vijayawada and Guntur constituencies will have to spend Rs no less than 200 crore each, which is no match to that mentioned by the EC guidelines.

In such a situation, the MLA and MP candidates are worried over how to meet the expenditure. On one hand, the candidates have to foot the bills and on the other, withstand the sweltering heat increasing by the day, which can reach peaks during April and May.