8 Unique and Differentiating Features of 2014 Polls

Hike in election expenditure limit: Recently, the Election Commission has raised the expenditure limits for Lok Sabha elections from 40 lakh to 70 lakh for each Lok Sabha constituency in bigger states and from 22 lakh to 54 lakh in smaller states.

This allows candidates to spend more on their poll campaigns. In North Eastern and hill states, the expenditure limits a maximum of 28 lakh and a minimum of 20 lakh. The enhanced expenses limits come in the wake of political parties making a strong demand in this regard at a meeting with top officials of the Election Commission. On the other hand, the EC had argued that enhanced limits of poll expenditure are required to be done in view of rising inflation that needed to be factored in.

'Others' Gender Option: Nearly two years after the Election Commission introduced 'others' gender option, over 28,000 transgender community members have registered in the electoral roll so far and will be eligible to vote in the upcoming election.

The Commission said a total of 28,314 such people have been registered in its roll till date. EC officials said with the last opportunity of enrolling in voters list being on March 9, the number could rise. This category was introduced by EC in 2012.

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