The buzz around upcoming local body elections in Gujarat has intensified after the State Election Commission Gujarat announced a major increase in the spending limit for candidates, citing rising campaign costs and inflation.

In a significant move, the Commission has revised the old 2021 rules, allowing candidates to spend more on election campaigns across municipal corporations and panchayat bodies. This decision is expected to directly impact how candidates plan their strategies in the upcoming polls.

Under the new rules, candidates contesting municipal corporation elections can now spend up to ₹9 lakh, a sharp increase from the earlier cap of ₹6 lakh. Similarly, the expenditure limit for district panchayat elections has been raised to ₹6 lakh, giving candidates more financial flexibility.

The decision comes after repeated demands from political aspirants who argued that election campaigning has become more expensive in recent years. With the rise of digital campaigning, social media promotions, and higher costs of traditional campaign materials, candidates were finding it difficult to operate within the old limits set in 2021.

Officials believe that the revised cap will allow candidates to conduct more effective and organized campaigns. However, the Commission has made it clear that with increased limits comes increased responsibility. Candidates will be required to maintain detailed and accurate records of their expenses and submit them for scrutiny.

The move is being seen as a practical step in line with current economic conditions, ensuring that candidates are not unfairly restricted while also maintaining transparency in election spending.