Bengaluru: Responding to apprehensions that candidates are planning to distribute money to voters through electronic modes like Paytm and bank transfers, instead of cash, the Election Commission on Tuesday said that the IT Department is keeping an eye on such money transactions too.

Karnataka Chief Election Officer Sanjiv Kumar told the media that the commission has taken a serious note of the issue and alerted the IT Department, which is working out strategies to curb such money transfers to voters.




On allegations by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda that the government is transporting money in police vehicles, Mr Kumar said that DG&IGP Neelamani Raji is seized of the matter. “The DG&IGP has assured us that no such cases have been reported and also promised to keep a vigil on police personnel,” he said.

Static surveillance teams have seized Rs 14.14 lakh cash and 100 LED TVs in the last 24 hours. Since the model code of conduct was introduced, the static surveillance team has seized Rs 4.07 crore cash and other items worth over Rs 1.21 crore. Meanwhile, flying squads have so far seized Rs 54.52 lakh cash, 473 liters of liquor and other items worth over Rs 9.96 crore, he said.

Asked about complaints by political parties that the Election Commission is taking time to give clearance to functions, Mr Kumar said that single-window agencies Suvidha and Samadhan, created by the Election Commission, are giving permission within 24 hours.

The EC has also exempted public gatherings and distribution of food in social gatherings like marriages, death anniversaries and so on. Private parties are not restricted by the EC, but such programmes should be non-political and not involve any political party or candidate, he said.

The public should not carry cash of above Rs 50,000 and gift items worth over Rs 10,000 without valid documents, he said.

On the complaint by Minister A. Manju against Hassan Deputy Commi ssioner Rohini Sindhuri and other officers, he said that all the complaints are being looked into.

Confessing that many KAS officers failed the first test after they were given training them in handling elections, he said of the 224 Returning Officers, only 130 managed to pass in the first attempt and refresher training is being given to 94 others, who will take the test again after the course.