Chennai: About 79 observers for monitoring election expenditure have been deployed for the April 18 Lok Sabha polls in Tamil Nadu by the Election Commission. Former IRS officer Madhu Mahajan has been appointed as special observer for the State to monitor poll expenditure, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo has said.
The retired IRS official will take up overall supervision. A total of 76 expenditure observers have been appointed for 38 constituencies, making it two per Parliamentary seat. But three persons have been appointed for Chennai Central. “The EC has appointed three expenditure observers for the Chennai-central segment accommodating factors like expenditure sensitivity and previous history,” Mr. Sahoo said. Hence, a total of 79 expenditure observers has been deployed in the State.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday the CEO said since the model code of conduct came into force, the election commission’s flying squads and static surveillance teams across the State have so far seized cash amounting to Rs 13.90 crore. He said about 18,768 licensed arms out of 21,991 have been deposited with the police in view of the elections. Though there are exceptions for security agencies and banking sector, some persons requiring protection are yet to deposit their arms. About 63 arms have been impounded and 32 licences have been cancelled. Also, about 3,563 persons have been taken into preventive custody, he said.
Nearly three lakh defacements of public and private property have been removed and over 300 cases filed, Mr. Sahoo informed.
As on Wednesday, a total of 30 nominations, including the papers submitted by woman, have been received for the Parliamentary polls.
