ECI seizes Rs 35.26 crores till Oct 19 in expenditure monitoring in ongoing Bihar Assembly Elections

The Election Commission of India has said that its team of Expenditure observers has made record seizures worth Rs 35.26 crores till October 19 in the Expenditure Monitoring Process in the ongoing Bihar Assembly Elections, 2020.

For effective monitoring to curb black money in General Election to Legislative Assembly of Bihar, 2020, the Election Commission of India has deployed 67 Expenditure Observers in the State of Bihar.

Commission has also has appointed two ex-IRS (IT) officers, Madhu Mahajan and B. R Balakrishnan, having formidable domain expertise and impeccable track record, as Special Expenditure Observers for General Election to Legislative Assembly of Bihar, 2020.

After a due assessment, 91 Assembly Constituencies have been marked as Expenditure Sensitive Constituencies for more focussed monitoring.

881 Flying Squads and 948 Static Surveillance Teams have been formed for Election Expenditure Monitoring work for the Assembly elections of Bihar. On expenditure monitoring, Commission has convened various meetings with senior officials of Bihar and neighbouring states.

Distributing cash and gifts during the electoral process is not permitted under the law, e.g., distribution of money, liquor, or any other item disbursed and given to the electors with the intent to influence them.

This expenditure comes under the definition of “bribery” which is an offence both under 171B of IPC and under the R.P. Act, 1951. The expenditure on such items is illegal.