Delhi polls: Election Commission reviews anti-blackmoney measures

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) today reviewed the expenditure and anti-blackmoney monitoring processes in poll-bound Delhi as it instructed all observers to maintain a tight vigil in the last few days before the polling day this weekend.

Officials said over two dozen EC nominated observers, including those from the Income Tax, Service Tax, Police and Excise departments, were directed to step up their vigil across all the 70 Assembly constituencies and their adjoining areas as the countdown to the polling day has begun.

The meeting, chaired by EC Director General (Expenditure) P K Dash, also took stock of the cash and liquor seizures that have taken place in Delhi till now.

"The officials and observers deployed for this task were asked to tighten the measures in the last few days as polling in Delhi is scheduled on February 7. The surveillance teams have been asked to enhance their gaze," a senior official privy to the meeting said.

The EC took stock of the surveillance measures deployed by the police, excise and I-T officials to monitor the flow of illicit cash and other inducements in the run up to the polls where voters will exercise their franchise on coming Saturday.

"The officials have been asked by the EC to ensure 24X7 monitoring of activities related to blackmoney and other illegal things used to bribe voters. The flying squads have been asked to immediately report any suspected cash to the I-T department," the official said.

In this context, the I-T department has already set up a toll-free control room for the general public to alert it about any suspicious movement of "large sum of cash" in the national capital.

The toll-free number -- 1800110132 -- issued in this regard is being monitored round-the-clock.

Complaints or information regarding movement of large sum of cash and other items suspected to be used for bribing voters during elections will be monitored from this centre, the official said.

The EC had created an election expenditure monitoring cell to monitor illegal money and other such bribes to voters during polls, few years ago.