I-T sleuths to keep a watch on poll expenses: Chawla

Income Tax officials will be deployed for poll duty during the general elections and keep a watch on expenses incurred by candidates in an attempt by the Election Commission to check illegal use of moneypower during the polls.

“Officials from the Income Tax will be posted on poll duty and will report to the Election Commission” for follow-up action, Chief Election Commissioner designate Navin Chawla told reporters here today. A cell comprising experts drawn from Income Tax Department is planned to be set up in the Commission to deal with information on poll expenses of candidates.

Chawla, who is here to hold a review meeting with the state’s Chief Electoral Officer, voiced confidence in organising “free, fair and transparent” Lok Sabha elections, which is scheduled between April 16 and May 13.

“We aim for free, fair and transparent elections in the country, let alone a state.. There is no doubt about it,” he said.

Chawla was asked whether free and fair elections were possible under circumstances like the comments by Andhra Pradesh DGP allegedly praising the ruling Congress in that state.

Chawla said he would look into the DGP issue during his review meeting in Hyderabad scheduled later in the day.

He assured that the EC was taking all steps to ensure free and fair elections such as video recording of required proceedings and deploying officials to monitor them.