Apprehending that the schemes of commercial banks to lure customers will influence the voters in exercising their franchise in the impending general elections, the banks are urged not to take up any promotional measures.
“The banks are advised to avoid promotions of new schemes. But they can continue their activities for the ongoing schemes,” said Mona Sharma, chief electoral officer (CEO), Odisha.
In addition, the banks are also asked to monitor the bulk deposits made by any individual apparently to check the use and flow of money during the election process.
Chief election commissioner V S Sampath has recently expressed concern about “money power” — heavy spending and the use of illegal funds to influence the outcome.
The election commission has revised the election expenditure to Rs 70 lakh for Parliamentary constituencies and Rs 28 lakh for assembly constituencies.
“Workshops and credit camps will not be organised as the state is going for assembly and Lok Sabha polls which may influence the electors. But, the banks will continue their daily chores,” said a bank official. About 4,038 bank branches are operating in the state. Of the total branches, 2,194 (54 per cent) are the rural branches, 1,075 (27 per cent) are located in semi-urban areas and 769 (19 per cent) are urban branches. Polling will be held simultaneously for the 147-member assembly and 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha in two phases: April 10 and 17. In the first phase, elections will be held for 10 parliamentary constituencies and 70 seats of state assembly, mostly belonging to southern and western parts of Odisha. The second phase of polls will be conducted on April 17 in 77 assembly constituencies and 11 Lok Sabha seats in the coastal belt.
In the ensuing polls about 2, 88,80,850 voters in the state will decide the fate of candidates for 147 assembly and Lok sabha seats in the state. Of them, 1.5 crore are males and 1.38 crore are females while 1,106 voters come under others category.
