Karnataka assembly elections: EC makes record seizures of over Rs 375 crore
The Community News/New Delhi
As campaigning for Karnataka assembly elections came to an end, the Election Commission of India on Tuesday said it has made seizures of over Rs 375 crore during poll campaigning.
The seizures are a record in Karnataka assembly elections as inducements to voters accounted for only Rs 83 crore in 2018 polls.
This marked a significant increase of 4.5 times in the Karnataka assembly elections.
Besides cash, the Enforcement Directorate has attached properties worth Rs 288 crore after the imposition of Model Code of Conduct in the state.
The ECI credited the record seizures to ‘strict vigil, extensive monitoring, coordination with neighbouring states and inter-agency coordination’ curb inducements to voters.
“As a drive, the results are encouraging with Karnataka witnessing seizures of Rs 375.61 crore during enforcement of MCC period which is nearly 4.5 times more than 2018 polls.
ED has also attached assets amounting to Rs 288 Crores after the imposition of MCC,” an ECI spokesperson said.
Among seizures, cash accounted for Rs 147 crore, liquor Rs 83 crore, drugs Rs 23 crore, freebies and precious metals worth over 120 crore.
“The ECI thrust on inducement-free polls from the past few elections, has continued and led to sustained efforts for expenditure monitoring in poll bound Karnataka,” he added.
It is worth noting that polling for Karnataka assembly will be held on 10 May while the results will be declared on 13 May.
