The Election Commission of India (ECI) has escalated its efforts to combat money power in elections, reporting a staggering seizure of Rs 4,650 crores even before the commencement of polling. This remarkable increase compared to the total seizures made during the 2019 polls underscores the ECI’s steadfast commitment to ensuring fair and transparent elections.
According to a press note from the ECI, enforcement agencies have been seizing an average of Rs 100 crore every day since March 1st, highlighting the magnitude of financial irregularities that authorities are diligently addressing. The commission has emphasized that this stringent action will persist without interruption.
The seizures, which include a substantial portion of drugs and narcotics, are the outcome of meticulous planning, enhanced collaboration among agencies, proactive citizen participation, and effective use of technology. The ECI’s endeavors aim to curb the misuse of black money and other inducements that could potentially influence elections in favor of more affluent parties or candidates.
CEC Rajiv Kumar, during the announcement of the polls, underscored the challenges posed by money power, identifying it as one of the critical ‘4M challenges’ in conducting free and fair elections. The commission’s review meetings with central observers and other officials have focused on tightening monitoring mechanisms to ensure an inducement-free electoral process.
Recent actions by the ECI include the suspension of a flying squad team leader for negligence in duty and selective checking during a prominent leader’s cavalcade in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, approximately 106 government servants faced strict action for violating the Code of Conduct by assisting politicians in campaigning.
The commission’s emphasis on strict compliance with surveillance measures for non-scheduled aircraft, close monitoring of transport check posts, and heightened scrutiny of election-related activities underscores its dedication to maintaining a level playing field for all parties and candidates.
The ongoing crackdown on money power reflects the ECI’s unwavering commitment to upholding democratic principles of transparency, fairness, and accountability in India’s electoral process.