With public campaigning for the Karnataka Assembly polls coming to an end on Monday, the Election Commission is keeping strict vigil with money distribution being usually high during the silent period on the last two days with a frenzy. Additional flying squads have been deployed and Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) have been put on high alert.
Pre-poll seizures in Karnataka made so far since the announcement of the 2023 Assembly elections have crossed a record ₹375 crore on Monday. In fact, this time’s seizures are higher than the cumulative pre-poll seizures made in the last four elections in Karnataka. While ₹14.42 crore was seized in 2013 Assembly polls, ₹28.08 crore was confiscated in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, ₹185.74 crore in the 2018 Assembly polls and ₹ 88.27 crore in 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
The EC had seized cash and articles worth nearly ₹58 crore (between March 9 and 27) even before the election date was announced. Nearly a 100 constituencies have been identified as expenditure sensitive this year and the EC has deputed 145 expenditure observers this time. Flagging money power as a major concern in Karnataka, the EC and had directed officials to crack the whip even before the announcement of polls.
