Terming it a concerning trend for democracy, Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat here on Wednesday claimed that the Commission has seized cash, liquor and freebies worth Rs 51 crore in Madhya Pradesh.
A full team of Election Commission of India led by Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat was in Bhopal on Wednesday on a two-day trip to assess poll preparations in the state.
The commission officials reviewed the arrangements with top officers and also met representatives of political parties to hear their objections and suggestions.
Speaking to the media at Minto Hall, the CEC OP Rawat shared details of seizures saying during last elections Rs 19 crore of cash was seized but this time cash seizure has crossed Rs 21 crore mark till date. “Adding the value of confiscated liquor, drugs, freebies and gifts; the tally of the total seizures adds up to Rs 51 crore till now,” said Rawat said.
Rawat opined the tally of seizures could soar up further in 12 days that are left for campaigning and this was a matter of concern forcing us to think where we were heading. “These things should be stopped and the commission was committed for capping these things,” he said.
On a pointed query regarding prevention of poll staff owing allegiance to social and religious organisations especially RSS, Rawat said that the commission was of the view that any particular employee could only be removed from the poll duty if the commission receives inputs about his participation or indulgence in any particular said groups.
For the first time in the history of state, VVPAT machines would be used with all the Electronic Voting Machines in MP, said the CEC adding there would be certain polling booths which would be governed completely by women. The commission also received suggestions and objections from the political parties.