Jaipur, Dec. 25 -- The expenditure limit for candidates contesting Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Body (ULB) elections has been increased, with the State Election Commission issuing separate notifications to this effect. The commission has doubled the permissible election spending limits for various posts while also imposing strict restrictions on the use of vehicles and loudspeakers during election campaigning. The new guidelines state that candidates contesting elections to Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies will not be allowed to use large vehicles or animal-driven carts for campaigning. The use of buses, trucks, minibuses, metadors, as well as animal-driven carts such as tongas, camel carts and bullock carts, has been completely banned. For Panchayati Raj elections, the guidelines increase the election expenditure limit for the post of sarpanch from Rs.50,000 to Rs.1 lakh. The limit for Panchayat Samiti members has been raised from Rs.75,000 to Rs.1.5 lakh, while the expenditure cap for Zila Parishad members has been doubled from Rs.1.5 lakh to Rs.3 lakh. In urban local body elections, the spending limit for Municipal Corporation councillors has been increased from Rs.2.5 lakh to Rs.3.5 lakh. For Municipal Council councillors, the limit has been raised from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh, while Municipal Board councillors will now be allowed to spend up to Rs.2 lakh, compared to the earlier limit of Rs.1 lakh. According to the guidelines, candidates must submit detailed accounts of their election expenses to the District Election Officer within 15 days of the election. The State Election Commission has also fixed a maximum limit on the number of vehicles that can be used during election campaigns. Zila Parishad candidates will be permitted to use a maximum of three vehicles, while Panchayat Samiti candidates can use up to two vehicles. Sarpanch candidates will be allowed to use only one vehicle during campaigning. Prior information regarding the vehicles to be used must be submitted to the Returning Officer. The commission has also imposed restrictions on the use of loudspeakers during election campaigns. Candidates will not be allowed to use loudspeakers at their election offices. The use of loudspeakers is prohibited within a 100-metre radius of hospitals, schools and religious places....