BMC Elections 2026: BMC Elections 2026: Mandatory for candidates to keep records of poll campaign expenses, says Mumbai civic body

Account officers and accountants from these teams attended the meeting, which reviewed procedures to check election-related expenses, public meetings, rallies and campaign activities, and to prevent any irregularities, an official statement said

BMC Elections 2026: Mandatory for candidates to keep records of poll campaign expenses, says Mumbai civic body

Polls in Mumbai are scheduled for January 15. Pic/BMC

Candidates contesting the BMC Elections 2026 must maintain a daily record of their election expenses from the day they submit their nomination papers, officials said on Thursday.

Assistant Commissioner (Assessment and Collection) Gajanan Bellale was speaking at a meeting of the Election Expenditure Monitoring Team held at the BMC headquarters.

To ensure strict control over election spending, ward-wise Election Expenditure Monitoring Teams have been formed across Mumbai.

Strict monitoring of campaign spending

Bellale said that officials must closely examine candidates’ expenditure statements and ensure that spending limits are not violated. All activities related to election expenditure monitoring must be recorded in prescribed formats.

The meeting also reviewed the functioning of expenditure observers, accounting teams, flying squads and video surveillance teams in Mumbai.

Action against illegal and suspicious transactions

Officials were instructed to keep a close watch on campaign-related expenses, monitor suspicious financial transactions and take immediate action to stop illegal expenditure during the election period.

All departments were directed to work in coordination to ensure a transparent and fair election process.

Election Commission guidelines to be followed

As per the State Election Commission’s order dated February 15, 2024, candidates contesting local body elections are required to submit detailed accounts of their election expenses.

According to these guidelines, all election-related expenses must be made through a separate bank account.

Mandatory submission of expense details

Candidates must submit details of funds received, including personal funds, party funds, donations, gifts and loans, in Form No. 1.

Details of expenses incurred must be submitted in Form No. 2. These documents, along with an affidavit in Form No. 3, must be submitted within 30 days of the declaration of election results.

Acknowledgement and record-keeping

After submission of expense accounts, candidates must be issued an acknowledgement as per Form No. 4. Both candidates and concerned offices must preserve all documents and receipts carefully.

Rate list prepared for campaign materials

A standard rate list has also been prepared based on prevailing local rates for commonly used campaign materials and publicity items. Candidates must follow this rate list while calculating their election expenses.