The Election Commission of India has set an expenditure limit of Rs 70 lakh for the candidates in the Lok Sabha elections 2019. The expenditure of the candidate should not exceed the prescribed limit under the Public Representation Act.

A limit has been fixed for all expenses such as posters, banners, vehicles, prints and electronic advertisements, public meetings, tents and all such expenses made by the candidates under legal limits of which a record is maintained in the Lok Sabha election. It is mandatory for all candidates to open an account in bank for the expenses, the payment of which will be made through cheque.

Expenses which are not permissible under law - such as distribution of money, liquor or any other item and bribe for the purpose of influencing voters etc. is an offense under the Indian Penal Code and is a corrupt conduct under the Public Representation Act .

The district authorities will monitor the expenses of the political parties from the date of declaration of election to the date of declaration of results through a flying squad. This expenditure will not be added to the candidate's expenditure, however, the report of the observers with records and evidence should be given to the Chief Electoral Officer in the prescribed proforma within 45 days of the declaration of election results. In the cases in which the candidate fails to furnish the day-to-day account of election expense for inspection and if this failure persists despite being given notice, then 48 hours after the notice is served, an FIR will be lodged under Indian Penal Code and the permission for use of vehicles by the candidate for election campaign will be withdrawn. In the cases in which the candidate or his election agent fails to reply within the time limit of 48 hours after receiving the notice, then it will be considered that the hidden amount mentioned in the notice has been accepted and this amount will be added to the election expense of the candidate.

Election expenses will be monitored through Central Expense Observer, Assistant Observer, Nodal Officer, video monitoring, video reviews, accounts team, flying squad team (FST), static surveillance teams (SST) and control room.