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Journalism of Courage
The Election Commission has changed its standard operating procedure for expenditure monitoring following complaints from traders allegedly being inconvenienced during checking by the Static Surveillance Team ST.
In Lucknow,Joint CEO Anita Meshram on Monday said according to the new procedure,ladies purses will not be checked and cash above Rs 2.5 lakh will be released by the ST 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.
In addition,the EC has directed the authorities in the poll-bound states to provide DVD copies of videos sought by any person for a payment of Rs 300 while the returning officers will have to preserve the originals for reference at a later date. The move appears to be an attempt by the Commission to provide access to ordinary citizens that can be leveraged by them to seek grievance redressal and also deter any wilful harassment.
The move comes after traders bodies approached the EC regarding the inconvenience being faced by them as well as other citizens due to its strict procedures to curb the use of money power in elections.
The EC has also directed that the enforcement agencies should not seize cash being carried for the purposes of expenditure on ceremonies related with marriage if the person establishes that the money is for that purpose. Any cash being carried for marriage purpose shall not be seized,if person concerned produces a declaration along with documents like marriage invitation/Kalyan Mandap booking/any other document to prove marriage celebration. No jewellery/bullion carried for marriage purpose or for personal use shall be seized and identity of the person and declaration in the format is obtained, the EC has directed.
