Cash, liquor and other material recovered from vehicles of candidates’ agents or workers to be seized
Bhopal: Chief Electoral Officer Shri Jaideep Govind has directed district collectors to ensure seizure of cash, liquor and other material recovered as per directives of Election Commission of India. Shri Govind has drawn attention of district collectors towards commission’s directives regarding static surveillance team (SST) dated March 21, 2013 which clarifies that if a candidate, his agent or party workers is found carrying cash over Rs. 50 thousand in a vehicle then it should be seized. Similarly, if a vehicle carries posters or electioneering material, any drug, liquor, weapons and gifts over Rs. 10 thousand meant to bribe voters or any other illegal thing then it should also be seized. Entire process of search and seizure should be video-graphed and its video CD should be presented to returning officer.
According to Shri Govind, the commission wishes that behaviour of flying squad or SST members should be courteous, restrained and civilised during search of material or vehicle. Women’s purse should not be searched until a woman officer is present. The commission has directed that during search operations in their respective areas, flying squads should also supervise functioning and conduct of SSTs. Vigilance network should be strengthened so that expected action is ensured. For this, enforcement agency, policy, Excise and Income Tax departments should coordinate.
The Chief Electoral Officer has directed to ensure compliance of above-mentioned directives of the commission during checking. Besides, people have been advised to carry necessary concerning documents if they carry large quantities of cash, gold, silver etc to avoid any inconvenience. These documents include passbook, ATM slip, receipts and other valid documents.
