Will rescind bypoll if bribing of voters is repeated, warns poll panel

“We have been monitoring the polling process closely to ensure a free and fair election, and have put in place a lot of checks and balances to achieve the same,” an EC source said on condition of anonymity.

The Constituency had already earned its notorious distinction for large-scale corruption of voters, and scrapped the election notification four days ahead of April 12, which was scheduled for polling.

“We used as many as 10 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces during the rescinded bypoll to the constituency in April. We have asked for 20 companies this time. The force has been tasked to take guard on December 7, which is the last day for withdrawal of eligible nominations after scrutiny. The force would be involved in security and surveillance complementing the local police and Armed Reserve Police,” a senior official told DT Next.

“We have already sensitised the traders and have issued written orders to abstain from being party to the bribery-racket. There were complaints of political parties instructing them to distribute goods for ‘tokens’, list of beneficiaries sent through SMS, and to recharge for a list of beneficiaries. They will also be under surveillance and would be acted upon,” the official added.

On traders carrying cash, the official stated that they would act only on cases where they have reason to believe that the money was meant for bribing voters. The sources said that they were also monitoring the bank accounts using the IFSC code for bulk transactions, among others.

Two more observers, Sandeep Yadav IAS, from Madhya Pradesh cadre, as General Observer, and Khursheed Ahmed IPS, from Gujarat cadre, as Law & Order observer, had joined the duty. Two others had already joined the process, and three more are expected to join the process as Expenditure Observers. Until Thursday, nine candidates have filed their nominations.