Steps taken to tackle money power

SHILLONG, JAN 18: The state election department will convene a meeting with all the banks and financial institutions tomorrow as part of measures to curb money power in the upcoming Assembly polls, to be held on February 27.

“I will convene a meeting with all the banks wherein if any suspicious transactions is likely to have an influence over the voters, that will be flagged in terms of withdrawals and deposits,” chief electoral officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor said.

Addressing media persons soon after the announcement by ECI, Kharkongor said all the district election officers have also been asked to have similar meetings with the banks in their districts for tackling money power.

Highlighting on the other steps, the chief electoral officer also informed that there will be expenditure observers who will be deployed from the Election Commission of India to examine the expenditure sensitive areas (ESAs).

According to him, these are being worked out in conjunction with the police and the income tax authorities.

Stating that there is a very detailed mechanism to tackle money power, he said, “It is basically through awareness, technical and administrative measures besides ceiling on various expenses as fixed by the ECI.”

He also said besides, there will be flying squads and check posts to monitor closely on the inflow and outflow of money.

Kharkongor further informed that the department has also constituted the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) and also the Election Expenditure Monitoring Committee (EEMC).

“These are being constituted at the CEO and at the district level and they will monitor the expenditures of the contesting candidates in collaboration with the income tax officials,” he added.

With regards to tackling muscle power, the chief electoral officer said that the Centre has sanctioned 100 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) for ensuring peaceful conduct of the polls.

“We were told they (paramilitary forces) will start arriving here from the end of the month. So once the CAPF comes there will be area domination and there will be patrolling so that the threat of muscle power is tackled,” he said.

Stating that once there is area domination by security personnel in those sensitive areas, he said it will be quite a big deterrent to those who intended to use muscle power. “We also welcome inputs and tips from citizens so that we can take necessary actions,” Kharkongor stated.

By Our Reporter