CEO Sahoo assures safe and secure election

Movement of Electronic Voting Machines and poll materials like indelible link and stationaries would be completed on the eve of polling. Safety of EVM machines and counting process was also reviewed. The election officials were also instructed to mobilise additional police from neighbouring districts and 20 companies of paramilitary force would be deployed, Sahoo said.

Regarding the implementation of Model Code of Conduct, cases have been registered against poll violators and those who campaign during the prohibited period will be subjected to two years of imprisonment as per the provisions of the Representation of People Act, he said.

Complaints on cash distribution and violation of rules are also investigated. The Income Tax department is also tracking the movement of money. Till now, nearly Rs 3 crore has been seized, the CEO said.

It may be noted that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has cancelled the election to Vellore parliamentary seat after Rs 11.48 crore worth unaccounted cash was unearthed during an income tax raid at a DMK functionary’s house. Both the DMK and the AIADMK have traded charge against each other for the cancellation of Vellore election, which is a first time in the history of elections to a parliamentary seat.