National Parties collected Rs 1158 crore funds for the elections that were held in 2014.
An analysis which was conducted by the National Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms took into account the declarations made by the national parties to the Election Commission of India.
Funds collected by National Parties during the Lok Sabha elections
The National parties considered for the report are BJP, INC, BSP, NCP, CPI, and CPM. Total funds collected by the National Parties, in cash, cheque/DD or in kind, during Lok Sabha elections held in 2004 was Rs 223.80 crores while during Lok Sabha 2009 elections increased by 282%, to Rs 854.89 crores.
The total funds collected by the National Parties during Lok Sabha 2014 elections increased by 35.53%, to Rs 1158.59 crores from Rs 854.89 crores during Lok Sabha 2009. Over a period of 10 years, the funds collected by National Parties during Lok Sabha elections increased by 418%.
Funds collected by National Parties during the Lok Sabha elections, 2014
BJP declared the highest amount of funds collected during Lok Sabha elections, 2014. The party declared collecting Rs 588.45 crores over 75 days of election period. INC declared the second highest amount of Rs 350.39 crores followed by NCP with Rs 77.85 crores and BSP with Rs 77.26 crores.
CPI declared the least funds collected (Rs 9.52 crores) during the 75 days of election period.
Expenditure incurred by National Parties during the Lok Sabha elections
Total expenditure incurred by the National Parties, in cash or cheque/DD, during Lok Sabha elections held in 2004 was Rs 269.42 crores while during Lok Sabha 2009 elections, it increased by 225%, to Rs 875.81 crores.
The total expenditure of the National Parties during Lok Sabha 2014 elections increased by 49.43%, to Rs 1308.75 crores from Rs 875.81 crores during Lok Sabha 2009.
Over a period of 10 years, the expenditure incurred by National Parties during Lok Sabha elections increased by 386%.
Expenditure incurred by National Parties during the Lok Sabha elections, 2014
BJP declared the highest amount of expenditure incurred during Lok Sabha elections, 2014. The party declared expenses of Rs 712.48 crores over 75 days of election period. INC declared the second highest amount of Rs 486.21 crores followed by NCP with Rs 64.48 crores and BSP with Rs 30.06 crores.
CPI declared the least amount of election expenditure (Rs 6.72 crores) during the 75 days of election period.
Expenditure of Political Parties under various heads during Lok Sabha elections
The main heads under which political parties declare their expenses are publicity, travel, other/ miscellaneous expenses and expenditure on candidates. During Lok Sabha elections in 2004, 2009 and 2014 together National Parties spent 50.58% of their total expenditure on publicity, 19.68% on travel expenses and 15.43% on candidates and 14.31% on other expenses.
During Lok Sabha elections, 2004, National Parties spent Rs 115.90 crores on publicity, Rs 34.57 crores on travels, Rs 50.715 crores on other expenses and Rs 60.364 crores on expenditure towards candidates.
During Lok Sabha elections, 2014, National Parties spent Rs 858.97 crores on publicity, Rs 311.8 crores on travels, Rs 104.28 crores on other expenses and Rs 311.47 crores on expenditure towards candidates.
In 10 years, expenditure on publicity increased by 641% while expenditure on travel increased by 802% and the declared expenditure on candidates increased by 416%.
Expenditure incurred under various heads during the Lok Sabha elections, 2014
During Lok Sabha elections in 2014, BJP declared spending Rs 463.17 crores on publicity while INC spent Rs 346.41 crores, NCP Rs 30.98 crores, BSP - Rs 12.75 crores, CPM - Rs 4.94 crores and CPI - Rs 0.72 crores.
BJP's declared expenditure on travel (for leaders, workers and star campaigners) was Rs 159.15 crores while INC spent Rs 129.50 crores on travel. NCP - Rs 3.73 crores, BSP - Rs 17.31 crores, CPM - Rs 1.94 crores and CPI - Rs 0.17 crores.
BJP declared an equal amount of expenditure on candidates as that incurred on travel during Lok Sabha 2014 elections. The party spent Rs 159.81 crores on its candidates while INC spent Rs 96.70 crores on its candidates.
Expenditure of National Parties on Publicity during Lok Sabha elections
There are three main items listed under publicity expenditure: expense on media advertisement (print & electronic, bulk sms, cable, website, TV channels) publicity material (hoardings, posters, banners etc.), expenses on public meetings (processions, rallies etc.).
Expenditure of BJP on publicity increased from Rs 49.31 crores during Lok Sabha 2004 to Rs 180.87 crores during Lok Sabha 2009 and Rs 463.17 crores during Lok Sabha 2014. The party declared an overall increase of 839% in 10 years.
Expenditure of INC on publicity increased from Rs 62.77 crores during Lok Sabha 2004 to Rs 207.88 crores during Lok Sabha 2009 and Rs 346.41 crores during Lok Sabha 2014. The party declared an overall increase of 452% in 10 years.
Expenditure of National Parties on Publicity during Lok Sabha elections, 2014
National Parties collectively spent Rs 661.26 crores (or 76.98%) on media advertisement, Rs 126.94 crores (or 14.78%) on public meetings and Rs 70.77 crores (or 8.24%) on publicity materials during Lok Sabha Elections, 2014.
BJP spent the maximum amount of Rs 342.36 crores on media advertisement followed by Rs 89.56 crores on public meetings and Rs 31.35 crores on publicity materials.
INC spent the maximum amount of Rs 289.22 crores on media advertisement followed by Rs 33.08 crores on public meetings and Rs 24.11 crores on publicity materials, while BSP spent Rs 6.59 crores on publicity materials and Rs 3.90 crores on media advertisement.
