NEW DELHI: The run-up to the Himachal assembly polls has seen a nearly 14-fold increase in volume of liquor seized by flying squads and static surveillance teams deployed by the Election Commission to monitor poll expenditure of candidates.
According to a top EC functionary, 1.77 lakh litres of liquor was seized across the state between October 12, when the assembly poll was announced, and now, as against just 13,000 litres seized during the 2012 elections. The cash seizures, however, not that much at Rs 1.67 crore so far.
"While it may be true that parties and candidates are increasingly relying on liquor as a means to induce the voter, it is also a fact that surveillance is far tighter as compared to the last assembly poll. We have three flying squads and two static surveillance teams in each of the 68 assembly constituencies in the state. The huge jump in seizures is as much due to better surveillance and monitoring as due to use of alcohol as inducement," the EC said.
According to a top EC functionary, 1.77 lakh litres of liquor was seized across the state between October 12, when the assembly poll was announced, and now, as against just 13,000 litres seized during the 2012 elections. The cash seizures, however, not that much at Rs 1.67 crore so far.
"While it may be true that parties and candidates are increasingly relying on liquor as a means to induce the voter, it is also a fact that surveillance is far tighter as compared to the last assembly poll. We have three flying squads and two static surveillance teams in each of the 68 assembly constituencies in the state. The huge jump in seizures is as much due to better surveillance and monitoring as due to use of alcohol as inducement," the EC said.
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