Karnataka assembly polls: Rs 300 crore worth of freebies & cash seized so far

BENGALURU: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday said the seizure of cash and freebies meant for distribution among voters in the run-up to the May 10 assembly polls in Karnataka has crossed the Rs 300 crore-mark, the highest recorded in the state so far.
Bengaluru alone has accounted for the highest seizures among the districts with more than Rs 82 crore worth of cash and materials confiscated.
ECI officials said that according to intelligence inputs received by them, there will be increased attempts by candidates and political parties to bribe voters as polling day nears.
"Preventing such illegal activities and ensuring free and fair polls is our top priority. We are not only deploying additional paramilitary forces in key constituencies, but have also directed all district electoral officers to scale up vigilance and increase the number of surveillance teams," said Manoj Kumar Meena, the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Karnataka. While cash seized across the state has crossed the Rs 100 crore-mark, with Bengaluru accounting for nearly 10 per cent of such seizures, other material seized includes freebies, liquor, gold and silver and even drugs.
K Venkatesh Kumar, additional CEO, Karnataka, revealed that Karnataka had surpassed all previous records of seizures even before the announcement of the model code of conduct. He added that ECI was determined to ensure free and fair polls.
Tushar Giri Nath, Bengaluru district electoral officer and the chief commissioner of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), also said that in Bengaluru alone about 52 sensitive areas have been identified where political parties are likely to make attempts to bribe voters.
"BBMP has deployed additional flying squads, over and above the existing static squads and check posts. Currently, within BBMP limits, there are over 120 check posts and 225 vigilance squads and teams patrolling day and night," Giri Nath said, adding that slum pockets, semi-slum areas and semi-urban localities on the periphery of the city are the most likely places for such illegal cash handouts to take place.
Urging the public to be proactive in reporting illegal activities to the authorities, he said: "All one needs to do is download the C-Vigil app on mobiles, click a photo of such activities and uploaded it on the app. The sender can choose to be anonymous and his or her identity will be protected."