New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday mentioned that complete seizures of Rs 375 crore had been made throughout the run-up to the May 10 Karnataka Assembly polls, whereas the Enforcement Directorate (ED) connected belongings price Rs 288 crore after the imposition of Model Code of Conduct within the southern state. The ballot panel made the revelations a day after the campaigning ended on May 8. Polling in Karnataka is scheduled on May 10 and counting of votes will happen on May 13.
According to the ballot panel, its thrust on “inducement-free” elections from the previous few elections, has continued and led to sustained efforts for election expenditure monitoring within the poll-going state of Karnataka. “The recorded seizures in the state mark a significant 4.5 times increase as compared to Assembly Election in 2018,” it mentioned.
It identified that strict vigil, intensive monitoring, coordination with neighboring states, and inter-agency coordination have led to checking the circulate and distribution of inducements in Karnataka this time.
The ballot panel mentioned that it seized money to the tune of Rs 147.46 crore, and liquor price Rs 83.66 crore. It additional mentioned that medication valued at Rs 23.6 crore, valuable metals price Rs 96.6 crore and freebies price Rs 24.21 crore.
The EC mentioned, “In 2023, it made seizures totaling more than Rs 375 crore, which is 4.5 times more as compared to Rs 83.93 crore in 2018 Assembly elections.” It mentioned that moreover, from the date of the go to of the Commission within the second week of March 2023 until the date of the announcement of elections, seizures of Rs 83.78 crore had been additionally made by varied enforcement businesses within the poll-bound state.
The EC mentioned, “The ED has also attached assets amounting to Rs 288 crore after the imposition of MCC.” It additionally mentioned that notable hauls embrace the seizure of Rs 4.04 crore of money in Bangarapet AC in Kolar District, raid of a lab illegally manufacturing Alprazolam in Hyderabad by intelligence gathered and path mapping achieved by NCB, 100 kg ganja seized in Bidar district, vital liquor seizures have been made by all of the districts.
“Another striking feature of expenditure monitoring has been huge seizures of freebies. Sarees and food kits have been seized from Kalburgi, Chimanglur, and other districts. A huge number of pressure cookers and kitchen appliances were also seized from Bailhongal and Kunigal and other ACs,” it mentioned.
The EC highlighted how an intensive monitoring course of began in Karnataka months again earlier than the announcement of elections that included host of actions like thorough assessment of preparation of various stakeholders together with enforcement businesses, DEOS/SPs, the appointment of skilled officers as Expenditure Observers, sensitizing and inter-agency coordination and monitoring and satisfactory availability of discipline stage groups.
The panel had deployed 146 Expenditure Observers and 81 Assembly Constituencies had been marked as Expenditure Sensitive Constituencies for stricter vigil.
The Commission had additionally reviewed the legislation and order state of affairs and inter-state vigil by means of border verify posts of poll-going Karnataka and neighboring states of Maharashtra, Goa, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu on May 1.
“Review was attended by Chief Secretaries, DGPs, Excise Commissioners, and regional Heads of prominent enforcement agencies of all these bordering States. On the occasion, CEC Rajiv Kumar had stressed proper manning and monitoring of specifically the 185 check posts in the border districts.
At the review meeting, EC Anup Chandra Pandey also emphasized the scope of improvement in illicit liquor seizures, action against kingpins, and preventing stockpiling of liquor. EC Arun Goel had, however, asked the officials to tighten the vigilance without causing inconvenience to the public and ensure a thorough follow-up post-seizure operations,” it mentioned.
Seizures of money, liquor, medication, valuable metals, and freebies from such border check-posts have subsequently been reported to be greater than Rs 70 crore, the Commission mentioned.
