The flow of money is a “big challenge” in Tamil Nadu and elaborate measures are being taken to combat it ahead of the April 13 assembly poll, Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi said here on Monday.
“The flow of money is a big concern and challenge…We have adequate infrastructure in position and we also have observers and video surveillance. It worked in Bihar and we have fine-tuned it,” the CEC told reporters after holding day-long review meeting with political parties and police officials.
Referring to the recent seizures of money at various places while being transported, Mr Quraishi said, “We feel the seizures are not enough. There is lot more money which we need to seize….We are going to tighten our control (on distribution of money).” The flow of money would go up as the poll date approaches but strong measures would be in place to combat it, he added.
Mr Quraishi said the EC would change election officers if they were found to be biased towards a particular political party.
“A long list of officers has been given to us saying they are not neutral. We do not take complaints on face value (but) will cross check and if need be we will change some officers for sure.”
He said some political parties had wanted extension of the campaigning till 11 pm but that would not be possible. “They cannot use loud speakers after 10 pm. It is Supreme Court’s order,” the CEC said.
On the issue of the ‘long’ one-month gap between polling and counting (May 13), he said
the electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be kept in rooms guarded by paramilitary forces. “Political parties are allowed to keep their agent to keep an eye round the clock. We will also have close circuit TV monitoring it,” he said.