New Delhi: The Election Commission has maximized its focus on expenditure monitoring in poll-bound Karnataka. According to an official statement released by the EC, Karnataka has witnessed a 4.5 times increase in seizures this time in comparison to the 2018 assembly elections.
Enforcement teams have made seizures totaling over Rs 375 crore in Karnataka, including cash (Rs 147 crore), liquor (Rs 84 crore), gold and silver (Rs 97 crore), freebies (Rs 24 crore), and drugs/narcotics (Rs 24 crore), the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, said.
The Enforcement Directorate, on the other hand, has attached assets worth Rs 288 crore since the imposition of the Mode Code of Conduct (MCC) on March 29.
In an official statement, the EC said, "For inducement-free elections from the past few elections, EC has continued and led to sustained efforts for election expenditure monitoring in the poll-going state of Karnataka. The recorded seizures in the State mark a significant 4.5 times increase as compared to Assembly Election in 2018."
"Strict vigil, extensive monitoring, coordination with neighbouring states and inter-agency coordination has led to checking flow and distribution of inducements in Karnataka this time," the statement said.
According to the statement, "Notable hauls include seizure of Rs 4.04 Crores of cash in Bangarapet AC in Kolar District, raid of lab illegally manufacturing Alprozolam in Hyderabad by intelligence gathered and trail mapping done by NCB; 100 kg ganja seized in Bidar district; significant liquor seizures have been made by all the districts."
The Election Commission deployed 146 Expenditure Observers (EO) in the state for stricter vigil and monitoring and after the seizure drive was concluded, as many as 81 assembly constituencies have been marked as "Expenditure Sensitive Constituencies."
Karnataka will go to polls on May 10 while the counting of votes will take place on May 13.