More Central observers likely to be deputed in Karnataka to monitor ‘money-powered’ elections

The EC has already put in place 2,040 flying squads, 2,605 static surveillance teams, 266 video viewing teams, 631 video surveillance teams and 225 accounting teams across Karnataka

With money power being flagged off as a major concern in Karnataka, the Election Commission of India is likely to deploy more Central observers to keep an eye on the poll expenditure of political parties and candidates.

“It is likely that one Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer will be deployed for every two Assembly constituencies to monitor election expenditure. District Expenditure Monitoring Committees involving State police, Excise, Investigation Directorate of the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate and Financial Intelligence Unit, among others, have been set up to crack down on electoral malpractices,” according to an official.

In 2018, the ECI had deputed 136 IRS, 156 IAS and 35 IPS officials from other States. Since March 29, when the model code of conduct (MCC) came into force in Karnataka, the Election Commission (EC) has made seizures totalling ₹60.99 crore, including cash, liquor, drugs, and metals. The EC seized cash and articles worth nearly ₹58 crore (between March 9 to 27) even before the election date was announced.

During the 2018 elections, over ₹152 crore had been seized.

On March 29 while announcing the election schedule, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had said the Commission will deploy adequate number of IAS officers as General Observers, IPS officials as Police Observers at district and Assembly constituency level.

Besides, the ECI will deploy Special Observers from All India Services and various Central services. Adequate number of Expenditure Observers, who will exclusively monitor the election expenditure of the contesting candidates, will be deployed.

Sources said this time around, the number of such observers is likely to be double the number of officers deployed in 2018.