Surveillance teams seize cash, articles worth Rs 28.43 cr in poll-bound Karnataka

Bengaluru, Apr 15: Surveillance and flying squads deployed to oversee violations of model code of conduct ahead of the May 12 Assembly polls in Karnataka have seized cash and articles meant to entice voters to the tune of Rs.28.43 crores.

Disclosing this at a meet the press programme organised by the Bangalore Press Club and the Bangalore Reporters Guild State Chief Election Officer, Sanjiv Kumar said more than 2500 different static surveillance and mobile teams were currently actively engaged in enforcing the model code of conduct. He said the flying squads were fitted with GPS systems so that they could act swiftly on hearing about violations.

He said the conviction rates of violations were high even when compared to other crimes in the country and referred to the cases filed during the 2013 Assembly elections and said that out of 1157 cases reported 1008 cases have been charge sheeted and 299 have been convicted. The conviction rate was 26 per cent as against the national average of 12 to 16 per cent he added. He said the conviction rate would be much higher once the cases that were on trial were completed.

He said in order to make the elections people friendly efforts were being made to bring to voting mainstream people in tribal and remote areas as also people belonging to third gender, sex workers and those who are shelterless.

He ruled out the possibility of changing the polling times in places affected by heatwave and said necessary steps have been taken in these areas to ensure people face least discomfort. Drinking water would be provided and adequate stock of ORS would be ensured to help voters suffering from dehydration, he added.

Referring to demand of political parties to mix EVMs so that they voting pattern is not revealed during the counting process,he said efforts were on to link 10 to 15 evms with totaliser machines at the counting centres. But there was need for change in legislation to enforce it on a large scale he said.

He reiterated that Election Commission was not a law maker to usher in electoral reforms. It is acting under the provisions of the Representation of Peoples Act and any forward looking and pathbreaking reforms need to be legislated by the Parliament.

With regard to paid news he cautioned the news channels while using the channel's time for commercials relating to candidates. Those which are exhibited over and above the allotted commercial time would be charged on the particular candidate and also the concerned media house would also be taken to task.

In a word of caution to the candidates who exceed their expenditure limit of Rs.28 lakhs, Mr Sanjiv Kumar referred to a case of countermanding of elections of a constituency in Madhya Pradesh where the winning candidate had exceeded the limit. He said separate count was being maintained for each candidate.

He said the digital services were being utilised to the fullest extent to reach out to the voters to ensure higher participation. Separate polling stations manned by women, Apps to identify polling booths and also to indicate the queue position in polling booth were now available in an attempt to make voting people friendly,he added.