In TN, cash seizure by EC crosses Rs. 100 crore

CEO Rajesh Lakhoni said Rs. 100.32 crore has been seized so far and Rs. 37 crore returned on production of valid documents.

The EC has tightened its vigil in curbing the distribution of money. Photo shows Rs.50 lakh that was seized in Thanjavur. Photo: R.M. Rajarathinam

The total seizure by election expenditure monitoring officials, including those from the Income Tax Department, crossed Rs. 100 crore on Thursday, with just three days left before the May 16 Assembly polls.

Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said the total sum seized so far was Rs. 100.32 crore and about Rs. 37 crore was returned on production of valid documents. The EC has tightened its vigil in curbing the distribution of money. Over 7,500 flying squads would be involved in the surveillance for money and other items intended for use in election process.

A total of 118 IPS probationers are to join the surveillance teams across the State.

On May 16, the day of polling, a total of 26,961 polling booths would be monitored by webcasting, over 10,000 booths by videography and 8,556 by micro observers. About 234 booths would be completely managed by women. “At least 58 per cent of the total polling booths would be monitored by either webcasting or videography or micro observers,” he said.