The Election Commission on Monday rejected the government's request to allow Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani to use Indian Air Force aircraft for election campaigning.

"The commission has said that the existing instructions will continue. It [the IAF aircraft] will be only for the prime minister," EC spokesman A N Jha said.

Jha, however, refused to say when the commission sent its reply to the government rejecting the request.

Terming as misleading reports that top political leaders could now spend above the limit prescribed by the commission, he said that only travel expenses of designated leaders of political parties will not be billed to the candidates.

"Guidelines have already been issued during the previous round of state elections last year. The guidelines are clear and unambiguous," Jha said and added that the guidelines cover 40 leaders of recognised political parties and 20 leaders of unrecognised but registered parties.

He said the facility of proxy voting will not be available to the wives of those serving in the armed forces.