Cash exceeding ₹50,000 will be seized: TN chief electoral officer

The Tamil Nadu chief electoral officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo on March 14 said since the model code of conduct came into effect on March 10, ₹3.39 crore had been seized in the state.

Talking to reporters, he said, “If any cash exceeding ₹50,000 is found in a vehicle carrying a candidate or his agent or party worker or carrying posters or election materials or any drugs or liquor, arms or gift items which are valued at more than ₹10,000 shall be subject to seizure.”

Static Surveillance Team (SST) and Flying Squad Team (FST) have been formed to monitor the situation. Any seizure of cash or any item shall be done by the in-charge police officer of the SST in presence of the executive magistrate. The concerned police officer shall file a complaint in the court within 24 hours, informed the CEO.

If more than ₹10 lakh is found in cash in a vehicle and if there is no suspension of commission of any crime then the Static Surveillance Team shall not seize the cash but pass on the information to IT authority for necessary actions under IT laws. Complaints can be registered on WhatsApp at 9445467707, said the electoral officer.

Earlier this week, Sahoo had said the state police had identified 7,316 polling booths as ‘sensitive’ and ‘vulnerable’. The number of such polling booths may go up as by-elections to 18 assembly constituencies would be held along with the Lok Sabha elections.