Delhi EC moots longer polling hours

Meanwhile, sources said the ECI was looking at changing only the morning timings. “People prefer to get out to vote when it is not too hot. We have therefore asked that time be extended both in the morning and the evening. There will be more clarity on the matter once the notification is issued,’’ Dev said. During the Assembly elections held in December 2013, 1.7 lakh people were in queue after the deadline for voting ended at 5pm. As a result, the Election Commission had decided to keep voting open, with polling drawing to a close in Okhla constituency around 9.30 pm

Speaking of preparations being made to ensure proper adherence to the model code of conduct, Dev said farmhouse parties and large scale community feasts by political parties would be under the radar. “In terms of monitoring the expenditure of candidates, our special focus will be on community feasts by political parties and farmhouse parties. Radio, television and print advertisements will also be included in the expenditure,’’ Dev said.

Meanwhile, the EC also held a meeting with officials from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Income Tax department to discuss ways to check flow of black money during the campaigning and keep vigil on movement of cash exceeding Rs 10 lakh through city airports.

“Air Intelligence Unit at Delhi airports will keep vigil on movement of cash. If cash exceeding Rs 10 lakh is found, the unit has been instructed to take action besides informing my office,” Dev said.

“All airports, railway stations, hotels, farmhouses, hawala agents, financial brokers, cash couriers, pawn brokers and other agencies, which are likely to be used for the movement of undisclosed cash during election process, shall be kept under close surveillance,” Dev said.

Besides, the Chief Electoral Officer said, banks have been asked to report all cash withdrawals more than of Rs 10 lakh to the Income Tax department.

The poll panel has also taken measures to keep a check on the flow of illicit liquor. The excise department has been directed to monitor retail shops, where daily sales figure has seen a sudden increase of 30 per cent or more in comparison to the same period last year.

“A special focus will be laid on shops which have seen more than 30 per cent increase in sale between March 15 (date of notification) and April 10 (polling date) as compared to average daily sale of February 2013,” Dev said.

Shops with a stock of more than 50 per cent on March 1 as compared to the corresponding date last year are also under the scanner, he added.
The Excise department has also been asked to submit a list on bonded warehouses as well as retail outlets in Delhi, along with their locations. The list will be submitted to the CEO’s office as well as all returning officers (ROs) within 24 hours.

“An intensive vigil over inter-state movement of vehicles, especially to Faridabad. Gurgaon and Loni Border has also been ordered,’’ Dev said, adding the department will maintain regular co-ordination with their counterparts in the bordering states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
The department has so far seized 2,400 bottles of illicit liquor from Vijar Vihar and 480 bottles from Mangolpuri.