Seizure of Cash in Election

During the State Legislative Assembly Elections of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Kerala-2011, the Election Commission of India through its election expenditure monitoring mechanism comprising of State Police and Income-tax Department of the Government of India, had got seized the following amount suspected of being used during the election:

Tamil Nadu:              Rs. 36,54,48,569/-

Kerala:                      Rs.1,14,03,620/-

West Bengal:                        Rs.8,53,79,867/-

Assam:                      Rs.2,23,79,570/-

Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister for Law & Justice, said that besides, metal goods worth Rs. 21,62,54,842/- were seized.  The cash seized has been deposited in State Treasury or handed over to the Income-tax Department for taking necessary action under the Income-tax Law.  Wherever unclaimed money is linked with poll offences, cases have been registered.  After verification that the money was not meant for bribing of voters, an amount of Rs. 2,52,96,080/- and goods worth Rs. 14,04,87,834 had been returned, the Minister informed the House.

Shri Khurshid further informed the Lok Sabha that the Election Commission has stated that the Commission has taken several election expenditure monitoring measures during elections which inter-alia include opening of a separate bank account by each contesting candidate for election expenditure purpose, deploying flying squads and surveillance teams for keeping close watch over distribution of cash or gift articles, opening 24x7 complaint monitoring system in each district, associating Income-tax Department to keep vigil over the movement of large amount of cash, engaging video surveillance teams for recording public rallies and expenses on banners, posters and hoardings, appointing Expenditure Observers and Assistance Expenditure Observers in the constituency, maintaining Shadow Observation Register for each candidate and engaging media certification and monitoring committee in each district to report instances of “Paid News”. Besides, the Election Commission has embarked upon a campaign through print and electronic media for ethical voting, Shri Khurshid informed the House.