On an average each elected MLA in Manipur in the recently-held assembly elections spent more than Rs 13 lakh during their campaign, sworn affidavits by the winning candidate said.
The expenditure limit for the candidates during the Manipur assembly elections was Rs 28 lakh.
According to a detailed analysis by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), released on May 9, the five MLAs of the Congress party spent the highest of Rs 15.81 lakh each while the 32 BJP MLAs spent Rs 14.57 lakh each during the election campaigning.
The average election expenditure for six MLAs from JD (U) was Rs 12.95 lakh while the average election expenditure for five MLAs from NPF was Rs 10.77 lakh. Each of the seven MLAs from NPP spent Rs 8.18 lakh while the average for two MLAs of Kuki Peoples Alliance was Rs 13.23 lakh. The three Independent MLAs have spent Rs 7.26 lakh.
Out of the 60 MLAs analysed by ADR, 32 (53%) MLAs have declared election expenses less than 50% of the expense limit in their constituency.
Overall, based on the election expense declarations of the 60 MLAs, the average amount of money spent by them in the elections was Rs 13.04 lakh, which was 47% of the expense limit.
The affidavits revealed that out of the total funds received by MLAs, 58% funds were raised from political parties, 26% were raised by MLAs themselves and 16% funds were raised from other sources.
Two MLAs have declared that they have not used any of their own funds for their election campaign.
BJP candidate Sorokhaibam Rajen Singh from Lamsang constituency in Imphal West district of Manipur spent the highest amount of Rs 22.14 lakh in his election campaign. Rajen Singh was followed by Congress candidate from Wangkhem, Keisham Meghachandra Singh who spent Rs 20.57 lakh. Former Manipur chief minister and Congress candidate from Thoubal, Okram Ibobi Singh spent Rs 20.55 lakh in the election.
Among those who spent the least includes BJP’s Yumnam Radheshyam Singh from Hiyanglam who spent just Rs 3.94 lakh in the elections. NPP candidate Janghemlung Panmei from Tamenglong (ST) spent Rs 4.8 lakh while his party’s candidate from Khetrigao, Sheikh Noorul Hassan spent a little over Rs 6 lakh, according to the
Of the total MLAs, 32 of them have declared that they have spent funds on public meetings, processions etc. with star campaigners while 28 others have declared that they have not spent any funds on public meetings, processions etc. with star campaigners. All 60 MLAs have declared that they have spent funds on campaign vehicles.
Fourteen of the total MLAs have declared that they have not spent any funds on campaign workers. Also, 46 MLAs have declared that they have not spent any funds on campaigning through electronic/print media.
