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The Election Commission, along with other enforcement agencies, has intensified efforts to curb abuse of money power during the elections, according to a senior official of the Commission.
“Comprehensive monitoring from GPS-enabled vehicles, static surveillance teams and checking at border checkposts have all been intensified,” said Ashok Lavasa, Election Commissioner, here on Thursday.
Strict vigil
Lavasa, Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo were addressing the media after reviewing Tamil Nadu’s preparedness for the general and by-elections. “A strict vigil on liquor supply, freebies, cash movements was emphasised,” Lavasa said. “Due to the strict vigil, we have seized about ₹127 crore of unaccounted money in Tamil Nadu so far,” he added.
The Election Commission officials were on a three-day visit to the State to review the poll preparedness. They met representatives of recognised national and State parties, State government officials, and senior police officers.
Suggestions
Highlighting some of the suggestions made, Lavasa said, “One political party even suggested setting up of fast-track courts to dispose of cases of moral code of conduct (MCC) violations in three months.”
He said the Commission has so far received about 1,650 complaints of MCC violations through the CVigil app and disposed of 1,622.
He said the Commission is taking election spending seriously and has appointed two expenditure observer for every parliamentary constituency and a special observer for Tamil Nadu.
Highlighting the steps taken by the Commission to ensure free and fair elections, Lavasa said over 8,700 anti-social elements have been “bound over” and 19,655 arms deposited with district authorities.
Identity proof
Noting that photo voters slip as a standalone proof of identity will not be allowed, Lavasa said a voter can use the Election Photo Identity Card or any of the 11 prescribed documents to cast his vote provided his name is on the electoral rolls.
“There will be one all-woman managed polling station per constituency,” Lavasa said.
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