If you are traveling with cash or gold during elections, then be careful, your goods may be confiscated, know what are the rules of the Election Commission

Preparations for Lok Sabha elections have been made across the country. The Lok Sabha elections were announced by the Election Commission on 16 March. In view of this, Model Code of Conduct has been implemented in the country. After the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, many rules of movement in the country have also changed. Law enforcement agencies are on high alert for movement of cash, liquor, jewelery and other free items in view of the Lok Sabha elections.

There are chances that all these things can be used to woo or influence voters. Earlier this week, Tamil Nadu Police seized Rs 69,400 from some tourists, the video of which went viral on social media. However, Tamil Nadu Police returned the money to the couple after investigation. But this incident has brought into limelight the Election Commission’s strict rules on carrying cash and other items during elections.

Measures to curb money power

Before any election, the Election Commission issues instructions to the police, railways, airport, income tax department and other agencies to keep a strict vigil on those carrying cash, liquor, jewellery, drugs, gifts etc. There is a possibility that these have been distributed to influence voting. For this, observers are also appointed along with monitoring teams and flying squads. The flying squads consist of a senior executive magistrate as chief, a senior police officer, a videographer and three or four armed police personnel.

According to the Election Commission, the teams have been provided with a dedicated vehicle, a mobile phone, a video camera and necessary documents to seize cash or goods. Surveillance teams set up checkposts on the roads. The entire investigation process is videographed. Checkposts should be set up from the date of announcement of polling, with increased enforcement seen in the last 72 hours before polling.

These are the rules for carrying cash and other goods

The Election Commission keeps an eye on the expenses of the candidates regarding cash and other items. An amount of Rs 95 lakh has been fixed for expenditure in each constituency and Rs 75 lakh in constituencies in smaller states. However, it also has adverse effects on citizens. As per Election Commission instructions, CISF or police officers at airports have been directed to immediately report to the Income Tax Department any person carrying cash worth more than Rs 10 lakh or gold worth more than 1 kg.

The Income Tax Department will have to “conduct necessary verification as per income tax laws and take necessary measures if no satisfactory explanation is given.” This means that cash or bullion can be seized until verification is completed to ensure that it does not belong to any political party or candidate.

At the check-posts manned by surveillance teams, the Election Commission makes it clear that “if cash of more than Rs 10 lakh is found in any vehicle, and there is no evidence of commission of any offense or association with any candidate, agent or party If there is any doubt, the SST will not seize the cash, and will report the information to the Income Tax Authority, for necessary action under Income Tax laws.

However if more than Rs 50,000 in cash or drugs, liquor, weapons or gift items worth more than Rs 10,000 are found in a vehicle carrying a candidate or his agent or party worker, the cash or other items will be confiscated. If any crime is suspected during checking, seizure will be made under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and an FIR will be registered within 24 hours. When it comes to transporting liquor across state borders, the excise laws of the respective state apply.

What happens to the goods after they are seized?

If any cash or other items are seized during the investigation, the authorities must return them if they are not related to any candidate or crime. According to the Election Commission, after the seizure, the amount seized shall be deposited in the manner directed by the court and a copy of the seizure of cash exceeding Rs 10 lakh shall be forwarded to the Income Tax Authority appointed for the purpose.” Public and Real To avoid inconvenience to individuals, a district-level committee has been formed which will look into the complaints. The Committee will investigate each case of seizure suo motu where no FIR/complaint has been lodged. The committee will also investigate such cases in which there is no connection with any candidate or political party.