SC Dismisses Plea on Expenditure Limit for Political Parties During Elections

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking a directive to establish the expenditure limit for political parties and candidates in elections, asserting that such issues fall under legislative policy.

A bench of CJI Chandrachud along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra remarked, “Either these are legislative changes or policy matters. How can we entertain a petition like this.”

The bench was hearing a plea filed by an individual from Haryana, seeking various directives, including the calculation and determination of expenses by political parties and candidates. The plea also aimed to restrict expenditure on items printed and distributed before nominations and calculate expenses for rallies conducted during the filing of nominations.

“These are all matters of legislative policy,” stated the bench.

The petition additionally requested a directive for all high courts to adjudicate election petitions within six months. However, the bench emphasized, “These are not matters on which we can merely give directions. There is already a law…”

The petitioner argued that there was no cap on the expenses incurred by political parties. In response, the CJI noted, “That is a matter of legislative change,” further stating, “We can’t command Parliament that you shall enact a law on this subject.”

The petitioner also cited section 86 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, addressing the trial of election petitions.

The bench rejected the petition, stating, “Dismissed. These are all matters of policy.”