Failure to Submit Election Expense Returns to Face 7-Year Prison Term: EC

Key Highlights of the Circular:

Submission Deadline: Within 30 days of the official gazette publication, all candidates (both winners and losers) must submit their expenditure returns (Form-22) to their respective Returning Officers.

Mandatory for All: This rule applies even to candidates elected unopposed or those with zero expenses; they must still submit a 'nil return.'

Penalties: Under the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 1972, violators may face a rigorous imprisonment term ranging from 2 to 7 years, along with a monetary fine.

Legal Action: Returning Officers are authorized to file cases directly without prior EC approval if the rules are breached. Such cases must be filed within six months of the offense.

Ensuring Public Transparency: To maintain transparency, the submitted documents will be preserved for one year at the Returning Officer’s office. Any citizen can inspect these records or obtain certified copies by paying the prescribed fees. The Commission has already dispatched the necessary forms to ensure compliance.