Bye-election to 11-Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar AC, Tamil Nadu, 2017-Exclusion of items like T-shirt. saree etc. from Rate Chart-Regarding

ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

Dated: 13th December, 2017

To

The Chief Electoral Officer

Tamil Nadu

Chennai

Sub:- Bye-election to 11-Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar AC, Tamil Nadu, 2017-Exclusion of items like T-shirt. saree etc. from Rate Chart-Regarding

Sir,

It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that in the rate chart issued by the DEO, Chennai, some items like saree, dhoti, blankets etc have been included as valid items of expenditure and several candidates have shown expenditure incurred on T-shirts and sarees in their day to day account of election expenditure. In this regard. I am directed to refer to para 5 of Chapter D and the Commission's letter no. 76/Instructions/2011/EEM, dated 7th Apirl, 2011 (Annexure-D9*) (copies enclosed) in the Compendium of Instructions on Election Expenditure Monitoring (October, 2017) and to reiterate that supply and distribution of main apparels like saree, shirt, T-shirt, dhoti etc. by party/candidate is not permitted as it is bribery of voters. Inclusion of these kinds of main apparels in the rate chart has given impression that the election authority has given permission to partics/candidates to distribute these items among the voters to lure them.

The DEO, Chennai may accordingly be directed to exclude these items from the rate chart and to bring it to the notice of all political parties, candidates and election authorities immediately.

Yours faithfully.

Sd/-

(SUKESH KUMAR)

UNDER SECRETARY

*Please refer Annexure-D7 for Annexure-D9 as the Compendium has been revised