New Delhi:The Election Commission on Tuesday said record seizures worth Rs 35.26 crore were done in Expenditure Monitoring Process in the ongoing Bihar Assembly elections.
''Details of record seizures already done so far (as on October 19)- compared to total of Rs 23.81 crore in Assembly Elections 2015 are as follows- Assembly Elections, 2020 (Up to October 19, 2020) Rs 35.26 crore plus Rs 79.85 lakh (Nepali currency). In Assembly elections 2015, Rs 23.81 crore.'' the Election Commission said in a statement here.
''For effective monitoring to curb black money in General Election to Legislative Assembly of Bihar, 2020, the Election Commission has deployed 67 Expenditure Observers in the state of Bihar,'' it added.
After due assessment, 91 Assembly Constituencies have been marked as Expenditure Sensitive Constituencies for more focussed monitoring, the statement said. Total 881 Flying Squads and 948 Static Surveillance Teams have been formed for Election Expenditure Monitoring work for the Assembly elections of Bihar.
On expenditure monitoring, the Commission has convened various meetings with senior officials of Bihar and neighbouring states, the statement said.
''Distributing cash and gifts during electoral process is not permitted under the law, for example distribution of money, liquor, or any other item disbursed and given to the electors with the intent to influence them.
''This expenditure comes under the definition of ''bribery,'' which is an offence both under Section 171B of IPC and under RP Act, 1951. The expenditure on such items is illegal,'' it added.(UNI)