Shillong, Jan 8: The Chief Election Commissioner VS sampath who was on visit to the state of Meghalaya to review the preparedness of the coming Assembly election said that the Commission is wary of the use of money and muscle powers during the process.
Speaking to media persons Sampath informed that in order to counter the use of money and muscle power during the coming assembly election said, “Flying squads will be constituted to go to the spot where there is evidence of movement of cash or other objects to see that they don’t exercise undue influences on the polls,”.
He said candidates will be directed to open a separate bank account specifically for the poll expenses and election officials would be keeping a tab at all expenses of each candidate.
The Hills State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP), a regional party supporting the ruling Congress coalition government in Meghalaya, has expressed concern at intimidation through money and muscle power during electioneering demanding strict action against defaulters.
“Under our new instruction the candidate or his agent will be required to visit our returning officers’ accounting wing…and they will maintain shadow register of expenditure of each of the candidates,” Sampath said.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has put a ceiling of Rs 8 lakh expenditure for each candidate in small states like Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland, the EC commissioner said, “A comprehensive expenditure monitoring instruction was also issued on how to deal with such instances including paid news items.”
It may be mentioned here that the delegation which was led by Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath was accompanied by Dr Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi and HS Brahma. During the visit the delegation met the State Chief Secretary and the DGP.(SP News)
