EC to track bank accounts of BMC poll contestants

Mumbai: To probe suspicious transactions during the model code of conduct period, the State Election Commission (SEC) will be keeping a watch on the bank accounts of candidates, who will be contesting the BMC polls.

“The Election Monitoring Committee, comprising senior officers like district collectors, municipal commissioners and Income Tax officers would keep a close watch on the expenditure of the candidates. If some suspicious withdrawals or transactions are found during civic polls, then action would be initiated against candidates,” said state election commissioner, J.S. Saharia. The commission has already appointed 15 expenditure observers, mainly Income Tax officers, to keep a tab on the expenses of the candidates, he added.

Mr Saharia reviewed BMC poll preparation works on Saturday. He promised to take strict measures to stop the illegal flow of money and liquor in the city to influence the voters during civic polls. According to the SEC, a large quantity of liquor and money is illegally transported into the city during the elections. Hence it has decided to keep a close watch on water, air, railway and road traffic.

“In the last Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha polls, there were reports of large quantity of money and liquor coming from air route in the city. Hence, the uncontrolled air traffic will be under scanner during elections. All the helipads, chartered flights, helicopters, coastal areas, jungles falling under the city limits would be patrolled,” he added.

The crackdown on cash and alcohol would be done with the help of city police, railway police and Income Tax department. A few days ago, a huge consignment of illegal liquor, which had come via railway route, was seized at Nagpur. “Accordingly, the commission has asked the Railways to keep an eye on long distance trains,” said Mr Saharia.