EC warns of strict action against dummy candidates

New Delhi: To check the misuse of money power in the run up to Assembly elections in Delhi, poll authorities will keep a watchful eye on dummy candidates fielded by various political parties this time around. “Strict action will be initiated against such dummy candidates, who are non serious in contesting polls but are put in the fray by candidates of political parties, in case they offer their facilities to other candidates after nomination,” special chief electoral officer Shurbir Singh said.[caption id=“attachment_1169123” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Preparing for polls. Reuters[/caption] According to poll authorities, candidates of major political parties field some dummy candidates in order to distribute their poll expenses. Such dummy candidates are put in the fray to help candidates utilise their vehicles and election agents for campaigning, besides other facilities, they said. If the vehicle for which permission is given to a particular candidate is used for campaign purpose of another candidate, then the permission will be withdrawn and the vehicle will be seized by flying squads, sources said. Flying squads will also give a report to the assistant expenditure observer for adding the expenditure in the hands of the candidate who was actually using the vehicle, they said. Further, to deter the dummy candidates, permission for public rally would not be given if the candidate does not produce his accounts for inspection without valid reasons. A show cause notice would be issued for not producing accounts before the permission for the public rally is rejected. According to Election Commission rules, a particular candidate can use only 10 vehicles in a convoy. Also individual candidates have to adhere to the ceiling of Rs 14 lakh on election expenditure. PTI