EC ropes in taxmen to stem black money in elections

The Election Commission (EC) has cast a wide net to ensnare black money being used in campaigns. It has asked the Income Tax department to set up a 24x7 control room for people to tip it off on any suspicious movement of large sums of cash or bullion.

Some question the role of the IT department and wonder if the man on the street would be comfortable calling in. And even if they do, will it indeed lead to a crack down on illegal money, they ask. As banker-turned-AAP candidate Satish Jain says, “Though we have come a long way, a lot of campaign expenses go unaccounted for.”

The IT department has set up a round-the-clock control room in many cities along with complaint monitoring cells to check the use of black money in elections. It has also floated a helpline number for the public on any “suspicious movement of large sums of cash or bullion”.

Former IPS officer-turned lawyer YP Singh is not too sure if this is a move in the right direction. “It seems to be more symbolic as the IT department is hardly an agency to check poll-related malpractices. Their role, as far as black money is concerned, is only to tax it.”

According to him, it is not up to the IT think-tank to infer if the money is legal (or illegal). “At best, they can pass over information to the EC officials. This move lacks focus and statutory force,” he says.

Further, IT officers have limited powers and Singh believes that if this initiative comprises a joint cell of other departments like the police, Enforcement Directorate and Economic Intelligence Bureau, it could be somewhat effective. “However, with just IT in the picture, there will be severe limitations,” he says.

Kirit Somaiya, BJP’s candidate for northeast Mumbai, says a lot more needs to be done to reduce misuse of money power. “The EC needs to keep a watch on cash transactions and create a more rigorous system to check use of cash in purchasing votes, people and media.”

Singh estimates that any serious candidate spends about ₹5 crore in cash in addition to the ₹70 lakh statutory limit. “Thus, for the entire election, the combined black money of all parties could be in the vicinity of ₹10,000 crore,” he says.

The EC has roped in ex-bankers and journalists to hold discussions with voters as part of its drive to crack down on black money spend.