TLI Staff
New Delhi: In what suggests elections are getting murkier by the day despite claims of curbing black money by the Modi government, enforcement authorities have made record seizures in poll-bound states.
Ahead of polling in the states of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry, the seizure of cash, drugs, liquors and freebies have touched record high surpassing past records.
“Record seizures worth Rs 331 crores have been made in Expenditure Monitoring Process in ongoing Assembly Elections, 2021 in States of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry. Seizures already surpass the total seizures made in assembly elections to these State/UT in 2016 and significant point is that record seizures have been made even though polling is yet to start,” Election Commission said in a statement on Wednesday.
The biggest seizure of suspected funds and freebies to lure voters has happened in the state of Tamil Nadu followed by West Bengal. The authorities have captured liquor, drug, precious metals, freebies and cash valuing Rs 127 crore in Tamil Nadu where saffron party BJP is eyeing big gains.
The total seizure in West Bengal is estimated to be about Rs 112 crore as on March 16, 2021. In Assam, the total seizure is 63 crore. Compared to the total seizure of Rs 331 crore so far in the five poll-bound states, the combined amount was Rs 225.77 crore in 2016.
Distributing cash and gifts during electoral process is not permitted under the law, e.g., distribution of money, liquor, or any other item disbursed and given to the electors with the intent to influence them. This expenditure comes under the definition of “bribery” which is an offence both under 171B of IPC and under R.P. Act, 1951.
“The expenditure on such items is illegal. With the drive for curbing inducements which vitiate electoral process intensifying, the seizure figures are expected to rise further,” the poll body said.
For effective monitoring to curb black money in General Election to Legislative Assemblies of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry, the Election Commission of India has deployed 295 Expenditure Observers.