Comprehensive mechanism to tackle money d'ution in TN polls:EC

The Election Commission will come out with a comprehensive mechanism to curb money distribution during the upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu with a multi-agency enforcement policy, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said here today.
"We have received very detailed input on the modus operandi on the distribution of money, liquor, gifts, the timing and the channels."
"The Commisssion is going to undertake a comprehensive review and assessment with some 11 enforcement agencies" on this matter, he said.
Addressing a press conference after holding consultations with political parties and law enforcement officials in the state over conduct of the polls, Zaidi said EC will unveil its strategy to curb money power and prevent distribution of freebies, including liquor, at the "appropriate time."

Further, a two-week 'purification drive' of electoral roles will be conducted between February 15 and 29 to check for multiple entries, dead and shifted voters and a door-to-door verification will be launched to 'purge' the Electoral Rolls of such entries, he said.
Such a 'purification' drive will be held across the country between April 1 and August 31 he added.

The EC will employ Voter Verifiable Audit Paper Trail in 17 constituencies in the state during elections, which will help the voter confirm that the vote has been cast for the intended candidate.
Further, as many as nine districts in Tamil Nadu have been brought to the EC's notice saying they were "hypersensitive" and pleas had been made for additional central paramilitary forces to ensure "weaker sections" could excise their voting right, he said.

Further, parties have sought webcasting and CCTV coverage of 'hypersensitive' polling booths and EC has taken cognisance of these demands and will act upon, Zaidi said.
They had also sought strict action on issues including bribing of voters, violation of model code of conduct and paid political surveys, he said.
The issue of "paid electoral surveys called as opinion polls and motivated surveys," have been taken up with the EC at the national level also, he said, adding the Commission was of the view that opinion polls should be "monitored."
Zaidi assured the EC will be "neutral and just" and will ensure a level-playing field for all political parties in the ensuing elections in the state.

District Collectors and SPs and other police officials have been given a slew of instructions to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of elections, he added.
The state has 5.78 crore registered voters as on date and there will be over 65,000 polling booths during elections, he said.