As elections approach, the biggest worry for the Election Commission (EC) is the excessive use of money by politicians and their candidates to buy votes. Large sums of money, both accounted and unaccounted for, cache of liquor and freebies, are being spent by candidates in the hope that they will elections by buying votes.
The EC has seized cash and items worth at least Rs 599.99 crore from various states and Union territories within 15 days of the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct?(MCC).
The MCC came into effect on March 10 when the schedule was announced for the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls.
BCCL
The EC released the seizure report suggesting total cash seized amounts to Rs 143.47 crore, liquor worth Rs 89.64 crore, drug and narcotics worth Rs 131.75 crore, precious metals worth Rs 162.93 crore and other items and freebies worth Rs 12.202 crore till March 25.
The Model Code of Conduct is a list of guidelines that must be adhered to by politicians and political parties after the polling schedule for upcoming is announced. The rule applies to political speeches, rallies, general conduct, portfolios and even content of election manifestos.
The parties in power in Centre and the State should ensure that they do not abuse the power handed to them for campaigning purposes.
BCCL
Under the MCC, any form of bribery, intimidation of voters is prohibited. Politicians are also barred from holding any kind of public meeting two days before the end of the poll. This period is known as ¡°election silence¡±.
In case of breach, the EC can send notice to the concerned politicians or political parties on the basis of a formal complaint filed by an individual or opposition party.
On March 12, EC seized Mont Blanc pens worth Rs 50 lakh from the residences of retired IAS officer Net Ram, a close aide of former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati. In addition, Rs 1.64 crore in cash and documents of assets worth Rs 225 crore were also seized.