EC streamlines poll expenditure monitoring

Election Commission has changed its standard operating procedure for election expenditure monitoring following complaints from traders.

The Election Commission has changed its standard operating procedure for election expenditure monitoring following complaints from traders allegedly being inconvenienced during checking by the Static Surveillance Team (SST),Joint CEO Anita Meshram today said that according to the new procedure,ladies purses will not be checked and cash above Rs 2.5 lakh will be released by the SST after involving income tax authorities and taking a declaration from the person carrying it,if the money does not have or is not suspected to have any links to any political party,candidate or criminality.

The cash,irrespective of the amount,will not be seized if it is being carried from business place to bank for the purpose of depositing but the person carrying the money will have to submit the copies of the documents like PAN card or Business Registration Certificate,bank passbook and copy of the cash book to show regular cash deposits,she said. The person will also have to submit a copy of bank deposit slip to the SST after depositing the amount in the bank.

The cash will also not be seized if the person carrying it shows the bank passbook,and bank statement to show that the cash is withdrawn on the same day but the person will have to give a declaration along with the copy of the bank documents and proof of identity of the person,to the SST.

Money intended for medical treatment or marriage will not be seized if the person carrying it provides the declaration with the proof of medical admission or treatment,or documents like marriage invitation and marriage hall booking,respectively.

No jewellery for marriage purpose or personal use will be seized but the SST will obtain a declaration and proof of identity from the person carrying it.

Meshram said all seizures will be made in the presence of an executive magistrate and video-graphed. The recording will be with the Returning Officer of the constituency,which can be availed by public after submitting Rs 300 to the RO.

In case of seizure by SST or the Income Tax Department,the person can appeal for redressal of grievance to the SDM or ADM of the district who is in charge of the Expenditure Monitoring Cell and the Joint Director of Income Tax (Investigation).

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram