EC troopers gear up to battle cash nexus

If the Supreme Court has delivered a massive blow to criminal elements in politics, the Election Commission (EC) is silently working towards curbing money power in elections. It has deployed quick reaction teams (QRTs) to swoop on political agents or party workers carrying cash of Rs 50,000 and above.

At least two teams would be working round the clock for each constituency during the Assembly elections in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram. These teams, comprising central police officers and a poll returning officer, would act on specific intelligence about use and transportation of cash. These would supplement flying squads and static surveillance teams that keep an eye on the movement of criminals, liquor and money.

It is expected the QRTs would have a field day, as political rivals fervently send inputs to the EC. "Our biggest worry for the Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan elections is poll expenditure and misuse of money to win votes," said an EC official. "It is simply not feasible to put up barricades and search vehicles for cash. If we do it in a place such as Delhi, there would be chaos."

READY TO BUST

• The Election Commission (EC) is silently working towards curbing money power in elections
• It is expected quick reaction teams would have a field day, as political rivals fervently send inputs to the EC
• At least two teams would be working round the clock for each constituency during the Assembly elections in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram

During the 2012 Gujarat Assembly elections, the EC had banned informal money couriers, angadias. Businessmen were asked not to carry more than Rs 2.5 lakh of unaccounted money. "In Gujarat, we had detained many with unaccounted money. Many genuine people, too, had to face a lot of trouble. None could be heard or released on the same day. With QRTs, we can expect to avoid such situations," said another EC official.

If a person fails to explain the source of money to the tune of Rs 50,000, QRTs would hand him/her over to the investigation directorate of the Income Tax department. To gather intelligence and act against the movement of a large amount of cash, the directorate has set up open-air intelligence units at airports in poll-bound states.

An analysis of the 2009 Lok Sabha results by the Association of Democratic Reforms said 184 candidates (34 per cent) with the highest declared assets won. In another 24 per cent of the constituencies, candidates with the second-highest declared assets were successful.

On Wednesday, the EC issued a show-cause notice to Madhya Pradesh industries minister Kailash Vijayvargiya for alleged violation of the model code of conduct. According to the notice, Vijayvargiya had allegedly distributed money to dhol walas (drumbeaters) during a yatra on October 11.

The EC has asked candidates to maintain separate bank accounts for election-related expenditure. Parties have been advised not to make cash expenditures of more than Rs 20,000.

"Inputs have been received from various quarters that money power is disturbing the level playing field and vitiating the purity of elections," the EC had said in an August 30 letter to political parties.

It had given parties time till October 15 to suggest whether party treasurers should maintain record books, according to the accounting standards issued by the Institute of Charted Accountants of India, and issue a receipt for every donation received. Views were also sought on whether it should be mandatory for parties to either give account-payee cheques or make electronic transfers to the bank accounts of candidates contesting elections, for amounts of Rs 20,000 or more.

"The Congress has rejected all the 10 suggestions and the Bharatiya Janata Party is yet to reply. The Left parties, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Trinamool Congress have accepted most recommendations, barring one or two regarding receipt for all donations," said an EC official.