West Bengal 2026: How Much Did MLAs Spend On Election Campaigns?

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and West Bengal Election Watch have conducted an analysis of all 294 election expenditure statements submitted following the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 for the newly elected MLAs. As per the ADR the expenditure cap for MLAs during these elections was set at Rs. 40 Lakhs. These election expanse reports encompass details regarding expenditure on Public meeting and processions, campaigning via electronic and print media, costs associated with campaign workers, expenses for vehicles utilized, expenditure on virtual campaigning, costs for publishing declarations concerning criminal cases, and expenses related to campaign materials. 

Crucial Facts:-

In the West Bengal assembly elections of 2026, The expenditure cap for candidates was set at Rs 40 Lakhs. Among the 294 MLAs examined, 43 (15%) have reported election expenses that are below 50% of the allowable limit in their respective constituencies. 

As per the election expenses declaration submitted by 294 MLA's from the West Bengal from the West Bengal Assembly, the average expenditure incurred by them during the elections amounts to Rs 23.86 lakhs, representing 60% of the permissible expense limit.

The report specified that the party election indicates expenses categorically in which the BJP, 208 representatives, has an average expenditure of Rs 24.20 Lakhs, which constitutes 60.5% of the permissible expense limit. In comparison, the AITC, representing 80 MLAs, has an average election expenditure of Rs.23.66 Lakhs, amounting to 59.2% of the expense limit. The Aam Janata Unnayan Party, with 2 MLA, reports an average election expenditure of Rs. 16.50 Lakhs, or 41.3% of the limit. The INC, also with 2 MLAs, has an average expenditure of Rs.15.82 Lakhs, which us 39.6% of the expense limit. Additionally, the All India Secular Front, represented by 1MLA, has an election expenditure of Rs. 14.71 lakhs, equating to 36.8% of the limit, while the CPI (M), with 1 MLA, shows an expenditure of Rs. 8.21 Lakhs, representing 20.5% of the expense limit. 

Among the 294 MLAs examined, 261 (89%) have reported expenditures on public meeting, processions, and similar activities involving star campaigners (excluding those for general party propaganda), while 33 (11%) have indicated that they did not allocate any funds for such events.

A total of 60 MLAs, representing 20%, have reported expenditures on campaign activities via electronic and print media, while 234 MLAs, accounting for 80% have indicated that they did not allocate any funds for campaigning through these media. 

Over 218 MLAs, representing 74% have reported expenditures in campaign workers, while 76 MLAs, or 26% have indicated that they did not allocate any funds for campaign workers. Subsequently, MLAs have reported spending on campaign materials, with 92 MLAs, accounting for 31%, stating that they have incurred any expenses for campaign materials. 

212 (72%) MLAs have declared that they have spent funds on campaign vehicles and 82 (28%) MLAs have declared that they have not spent any funds on campaign vehicles.  
Out of the 191 MLAs analysed with declared criminal cases, 180 (94%) MLAs have declared that they have spent funds on publishing of declarations regarding criminal cases and 11 (6%) MLAs have declared that they have not spent any funds on publishing of declarations regarding criminal cases. 

Out of the 294 MLAs analyzed, 293 (99.66%) MLAs have declared that they have spent funds on public meetings, processions etc. without star campaigners (other than the ones with star campaigners of the political party) and 1 (0.34%) MLA has declared that He has not spent any funds on public meetings, processions etc. without star campaigners (other than the ones with star campaigners of the political party).