Strict vigilance will be maintained on excessive election expenses, distribution of cash and kind, illegal arms and ammunition, liquor and movement of anti-social elements during Vidhan Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh through flying squads, statistics surveillance teams (SST) and check-posts.
Three to four flying squads will be constituted in every Vidhan Sabha constituency. They will function from declaration of elections till conclusion of voting and act on complaints regarding violation of model code of conduct. The flying squad will pay special attention to efforts to bribe voters through cash, liquor etc. and arms, ammunition, movement of anti-social elements, efforts to intimidate voters etc. They will also consider complaints regarding election expenses made or sponsored by candidates and political parties.
The flying squads will undertake video-conferencing of all these actions apart form taking action in cases pertaining to rallies and public meetings by political parties and other major expenses by them.
Every Vidhan Sabha constituency will have 3 or more statistics surveillance teams each comprising a magistrate and 3-4 police personnel who will function as check-post. Some teams will also be manned by paramilitary personnel in view of constituency’s sensitiveness.
These teams will form check-posts on main roads, borders of district and state and keep watch over illegal liquor, large quantity of cash, arms and ammunition and movement of anti-social elements. Checking process by the team will be video-grahed.
The teams will send daily reports to superintendent of police with copies to district election officer, poll expenses and police observers. Surveillance team will be invited in consultation with district election officer and superintendent of police. This system will be strengthened further 72 hours before polling in sensitive constituencies.
During checking, if any candidate or their agent is found carrying cash, poster and poll material worth more than Rs 50,000 in a vehicle, drugs, liquor, arms and ammunition and gifts worth over Rs 10,000, then the material will be seized.
This entire process will be video-graphed. During checking, members of flying squad will behave courteously and humanely. Purses of women will not be checked unless a woman officer is present. Election Commission has directed to train flying squads and statistics surveillance teams 3 months before elections.
Appellate officer in cases of seizures by flying squads, statistics surveillance and police teams will be Deputy District Election Officer.
Seized cash will be deposited in treasury or through other means as directed by court. If flying squads and statistics surveillance teams get information that large number of suspicious material is being transported, then they will inform about it to law enforcement agencies.