Iftikhar Hussain, JKAS, Joint Director Finance/Chief Controller Financial (CCF), LAHDC Kargil, appointed as Expenditure Observer for the Municipal Elections in Kargil district by the Chief Electoral Officer, UT Ladakh, on November 12, convened a meeting with Returning Officers (ROs), Assistant Returning Officers (AROs), the Nodal Officer for Expenditure Monitoring and his team, as well as contesting candidates.

During the meeting, Iftikhar Hussain, Accounts Officer to the Deputy Commissioner, Kargil and Nodal Officer of the Monitoring Team, delivered a PowerPoint presentation on election expenditure monitoring, prescribed expenditure limits, applicable rules and regulations, required forms, procedures and approved rates for candidates.

The participants were informed that the maximum permissible expenditure limit for each candidate in the municipal elections has been fixed at ₹1 lakh.

Addressing the meeting, Expenditure Observer Iftikhar Hussain emphasised the importance of maintaining accurate, proper and transparent records of all election-related expenses throughout the electoral process.

He stressed that all candidates must strictly adhere to the prescribed rules, regulations, procedures and approved rates to ensure transparency and accountability.

Highlighting the objective of expenditure monitoring, he said that these measures are intended to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, preventing any candidate from gaining an undue advantage through the use of money power.

He further urged all contesting candidates, election agents and officials to strictly follow the applicable election rules, expenditure guidelines and the Model Code of Conduct.

A question-and-answer session was also held during the meeting, during which participants raised queries regarding election expenditure monitoring, procedures and related guidelines. The Expenditure Observer addressed their concerns and provided the necessary clarifications.

Concluding the meeting, he urged all stakeholders to work towards ensuring the smooth, fair and orderly conduct of the electoral process and extended his best wishes to all contesting candidates.