Election panel backs aid if Anderson gets 5% vote

The Federal Election Commission's legal staff recommended Tuesday that John Anderson become eligible for federal funds to help finance his campaign if he receives 5 percent or more of the popular vote. The commission is scheduled to take up the matter at its Thursday meeting.

The federal election law permits payments to "third party" candidates after the election if they get more than 5 percent. They do not get the full $29.4 million given the Republican and Democratic candidates, But an amount based on the actual percentage of the vote they receive. Mr. Anderson, however, is running as an independent candidate, not a third-party candidate.