There was constant rise cash, items seizures in polls even after demonetisation: Rawat

He had said government should take measures like putting a cap on election expenditure of political parties and bring in more transparency in terms of campaign financing.

Om Prakash Rawat. File

Former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat, who demitted office on December 1, has said that seizure of cash and other goods during polls recorded an increasing trend despite demonetisation.

On November 8, 2016, the Centre initiated the demonetisation process, scrapping the ₹1,000 note and old ₹500 currency.

“There was a constant increase in seizure of cash and other items during the elections, even after demonetisation. However, the seizures cannot be an indicator of how much black money is being spent or distributed during the elections,” said Mr. Rawat.

Abuse of money power for influencing poll outcomes was a major cause of concern for the electoral body.

He has earlier said the government should take measures like putting a cap on the election expenditure of political parties and bring in more transparency in terms of campaign financing.