Measures to check the Influence of Money Power in Elections

The Government has said that it is not correct to say that the influence of money power in parliamentary and assembly elections is on the rise. Further, the Government and the Election Commission are seriously concerned about the role of money power in elections. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of Law & Justice, Shri Salman Khurshid said that in this regard, the Election Commission has taken several measurers including opening of separate Division in the Commission to oversee election expenditure, appointment of Expenditure Observers and Assistant Expenditure Observers, Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Team to keep vigil over movement of cash, liquor and other items during elections, Media Certifying and Monitoring Committee to keep a watch on media advertisement and paid news, Maintenance of shadow register of each candidate, Video Surveillance Team to oversee major items of expenditure opening of separate bank account by the candidate for the purpose of election expenses and involving of Income Tax Department to keep vigil over movement of cash. Shri Khurshid said that elaborate mechanism has been adopted by the Election Commission to check the influence of money power in the elections.