BENGALURU: The Election Commission, income-tax division and Karnataka excise division have joined forces to chalk out a comprehensive plan to curb using money and alcohol to steer citizens in the May 12 state meeting polls.
“We have drawn up an elaborate plan in accordance with the EC’s pointers to curb using money energy in the elections. The exercise will likely be on the same lines as that of the income-tax division in any election, but there will likely be changes to suit local stipulations,” B R Balakrishnan, director-general of revenue tax (investigation), informed TOI.
The authorities are assured that this time, generation will be the sport changer of their efforts to make sure loose and honest elections.
“For the primary time, most a part of the election process is being computerized, with the Election Expenditure Monitoring System which is able to keep tabs on spending by candidates. We have brought together various companies, including the income-tax and excise departments, to curb electoral malpractices,” stated Sanjiv Kumar, chief electoral officer, Karnataka.
During the 2013 meeting elections, Rs 20 crore in money, and jewelry and gold price Rs 3.4 crore had been seized, and this was once stated to be among the greatest for meeting elections.
Balakrishnan stated dedicated teams headed by the deputy director of income-tax are being deployed on the district level, and will likely be armed with statutory powers to habits searches, raids, seize wealth and even interrogate candidates, if required.
While flying squads deployed by the state executive and teams of observers sent by the Election Commission of India (ECI) can be on the box, they can best reach the spot but can't carry out searches or raids. “They must cross on data to the income-tax division. Only a licensed team can deal with unlawful wealth,” stated Balakrishnan.
He stated dedicated phone lines can be arrange and the I-T division would provide electronic mail addresses to allow the public to provide details about clandestine money transactions.
Sanjiv Kumar stated the ECI has issued instructions to banks to file day-to-day transactions to the election panel.
EC MONITORING EXPENDITURE
An meeting election candidate is permitted to spend best Rs 28 lakh, and the CEO stated the EC has already began tracking pre-poll expenditure of attainable candidates and political parties.
“We’re seizing liquor being illegally transported and disbursed by attainable candidates, and vigilance will likely be extra stringent now,” Rajendra Prasad, joint excise commissioner, stated.
The ECI’s initiatives notwithstanding, observers are sceptical concerning the efficacy of the measures. “Unless there is no provision to punish errant candidates, these measures will likely be needless. The seized wealth will likely be returned after dispute redressal, which is altogether a unique issue as there's scope for corruption,” stated Trilochan Sastry, founder and trustee, Association for Democratic Reforms.
“The candidates caught with unlawful money must be disqualified and now not allowed to contest the next elections,” he added.
EXAMS FOR ELECTION OFFICERS TOO
The EC is undertaking an examination for returning officials and assistant returning officials. This is to ensure that officials are well-versed with election regulations and enforcement. The coaching module contains accepting and rejecting nomination papers, approving requests to use of automobiles for campaigning, and receiving proceedings about electoral malpractices.
“We have drawn up an elaborate plan in accordance with the EC’s pointers to curb using money energy in the elections. The exercise will likely be on the same lines as that of the income-tax division in any election, but there will likely be changes to suit local stipulations,” B R Balakrishnan, director-general of revenue tax (investigation), informed TOI.
The authorities are assured that this time, generation will be the sport changer of their efforts to make sure loose and honest elections.
“For the primary time, most a part of the election process is being computerized, with the Election Expenditure Monitoring System which is able to keep tabs on spending by candidates. We have brought together various companies, including the income-tax and excise departments, to curb electoral malpractices,” stated Sanjiv Kumar, chief electoral officer, Karnataka.
During the 2013 meeting elections, Rs 20 crore in money, and jewelry and gold price Rs 3.4 crore had been seized, and this was once stated to be among the greatest for meeting elections.
Balakrishnan stated dedicated teams headed by the deputy director of income-tax are being deployed on the district level, and will likely be armed with statutory powers to habits searches, raids, seize wealth and even interrogate candidates, if required.
While flying squads deployed by the state executive and teams of observers sent by the Election Commission of India (ECI) can be on the box, they can best reach the spot but can't carry out searches or raids. “They must cross on data to the income-tax division. Only a licensed team can deal with unlawful wealth,” stated Balakrishnan.
He stated dedicated phone lines can be arrange and the I-T division would provide electronic mail addresses to allow the public to provide details about clandestine money transactions.
Sanjiv Kumar stated the ECI has issued instructions to banks to file day-to-day transactions to the election panel.
EC MONITORING EXPENDITURE
An meeting election candidate is permitted to spend best Rs 28 lakh, and the CEO stated the EC has already began tracking pre-poll expenditure of attainable candidates and political parties.
“We’re seizing liquor being illegally transported and disbursed by attainable candidates, and vigilance will likely be extra stringent now,” Rajendra Prasad, joint excise commissioner, stated.
The ECI’s initiatives notwithstanding, observers are sceptical concerning the efficacy of the measures. “Unless there is no provision to punish errant candidates, these measures will likely be needless. The seized wealth will likely be returned after dispute redressal, which is altogether a unique issue as there's scope for corruption,” stated Trilochan Sastry, founder and trustee, Association for Democratic Reforms.
“The candidates caught with unlawful money must be disqualified and now not allowed to contest the next elections,” he added.
EXAMS FOR ELECTION OFFICERS TOO
The EC is undertaking an examination for returning officials and assistant returning officials. This is to ensure that officials are well-versed with election regulations and enforcement. The coaching module contains accepting and rejecting nomination papers, approving requests to use of automobiles for campaigning, and receiving proceedings about electoral malpractices.
EC, income-tax and excise departments ramp up election vigil
![EC, income-tax and excise departments ramp up election vigil]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
March 31, 2018
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