Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections | Cash seizures stand at ₹428.46 crore

Election officers and surveillance groups have to this point seized money and valuables price ₹428.46 crore, following violations of the mannequin code of conduct, based on the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The whole money seizure to this point stands at ₹225.5 crore, and that of valuable metals (gold, silver, diamond and different ornaments) at ₹176.11 crore. Liquor (2,75,293.31 l) to the tune of ₹4.61 crore and different gadgets valued at ₹20.01 crore have been seized, it stated.

“The last 72 hours are extremely sensitive from the expenditure standpoint. Round-the-clock surveillance, along with CAPF teams, has been taken up. Patrolling has been strengthened during the night and early morning along with expenditure teams,” it stated.

During the final 24 hours till Sunday night, about ₹91.56 lakh in money was seized in Ranipet district; ₹1.23 crore in Thousand Lights constituency, Chennai; ₹1.15 crore in Veerapandi, Salem; ₹1.06 crore in Vellore district; ₹98 lakh in Coimbatore; ₹1.13 crore in Saidapet, Chennai; and ₹65 lakh in Virudhunagar Assembly constituency.

During that 24-hour interval, the money seizure stood at ₹8.42 crore. Further, 4,190 liquor bottles and seven,600 l of fermented wash was seized from completely different locations.

It stated that one of many aims of the ECI was to conduct elections freed from inducement. “An all-out effort to curb inducements has been made towards election expenditure monitoring,” it stated.

Flying surveillance groups, static surveillance groups, video surveillance groups and nodal officers have been arrange at the Assembly structure ranges. District-level management rooms to co-ordinate the efforts too have been established.

A complete of 105 expenditure-sensitive constituencies have been recognized in Tamil Nadu, and additional efforts, as mandated by the ECI, have been made. Expenditure-sensitive pockets have been recognized and groups directed to be additional vigilant over the past 72 hours. Four State nodal officers — two for expenditure, one police and one common observer — have been appointed by the ECI to supervise all facets of election expenditure monitoring. “A total of 118 expenditure observers have been drafted to monitor expenditure by candidates and parties,” it stated.

For complaints, individuals can name 1950, and phone district election officers, and the State toll-free quantity (1800 4252 1950) to name the CEO’s workplace. Further, the cVIGIL app can be utilized to report any wrongdoing. Complete confidentiality of complainants will likely be maintained, it stated.