EC clamps down on booze for votes

Initiating a crackdown against crooked liquor dealers ahead of Karnataka's assembly elections, the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday directed the police and excise department officials to step up vigil on liquor movement and abnormal liquor purchases till May-end.

The Karnataka State Beverages Corporation Limited (KSBCL), a distributor licensee under the Karnataka Excise (Sale of Indian and Foreign Liquor) Rules-1968, has also been asked to update the EC on the region-wise sale of liquor till the elections are over.

Addressing a press conference here, State Chief Electoral Officer M N Vidyashankar and Officer-on-Special Duty R Ramaseshan said criminal cases would be filed against liquor dealers who are caught on the wrong foot during the poll period. "This time, we are going to be extremely tough with those who try to lure voters with liquor," the officers said.

The KSBCL has been directed to tighten the noose on liquor manufacturers, suppliers and procurers. "We have told KSBCL authorities to look out for those who lift abnormal quantity of liquor stocks from the distilleries. The authorities have been told to check the stocks of traders for the last six months and report if there is any huge increase in the stocks lifted during March, April and May," Vidyashankar said.

Similarly, distilleries procuring huge quantities of rectified spirit and illicit liquor manufacturing units around Bangalore will come under the EC scanner.

The police have been directed to check smuggling of liquor from neighbouring states like Goa, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. To enhance coordination between the Karnataka police officials and the neighbouring states, the EC has planned four rounds of meetings in the coming days.

Apart from this, the EC has also decided to intensify its crackdown on distribution of freebies to voters. The EC has already seized 3,000 watches in Chikkaballapura, a few consignments of tiles meant for roofing in coastal areas, 1,100 sarees in Ramanagara, and has booked a case against some persons for garlanding Basaveshwara's statue in Hubli.

"We will also act tough against those who display party flags on their two-wheelers and four-wheelers without obtaining permission. Vehicles which violate the model code of conduct is liable to be seized under the Motor Vehicles Act," Vidyashankar added.

On the deployment of police personnel, Vidyashankar said 225 companies of central forces will be on poll duty this time as against 30 companies in the 2004 elections. "The list of hyper-sensitive polling stations will be identified after the political parties finalise their candidates, he added.

Silence on airport front

State chief electoral officer M N Vidyashankar on Thursday chose not to react to speculations about postponement of the inauguration of the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA), which is scheduled for May 11.

Speaking to reporters here, Vidyashankar said: "We have not received any communication from Election Commission in this regard." With the state going to the polls in the first phase on May 10, questions were raised on whether the inauguration of BIA would amount to a violation of model code of conduct.