Cash deals to be monitored closely

SHILLONG: Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor held a meeting on Friday with the convener of the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) to ensure that the Election Commission’s instruction on monitoring deposits and withdrawal of money from banks is followed during the election.
Following the announcement of the poll date and the enforcement of the model code of conduct, Kharkongor shared the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) about the collection of information from banks regarding suspicious transactions during the election.
The CEO told reporters that banks have to share information with district election officers or deputy commissioners regarding suspicious cash transactions.
“Unusual and suspicious cash withdrawals or deposits in a bank account exceeding Rs 1 lakh during the process of election, without any such instance of deposit or withdrawal during
the last two months and transfer of amounts by RTGS from one bank account to several other accounts in a district or constituency are some of the several examples of suspicious cash transactions,” he added.
Further, Kharkongor said election officers in all districts have formed flying squads and they will act on tip-offs from banks regarding suspicious transactions. The ECI will also deploy expenditure observers to each and every constituency, he added.
The convener of the committee will hold separate meetings with all banks to inform them about the ECI guidelines. The convener has also been asked to check on suspicious monetary activities which might be used for influencing voters.
“In addition, if deposits and withdrawals are more than Rs 10 lakh, information should be passed on to the nodal officer of the Income Tax,” the CEO said and added that similar District Level Coordination Committees have been formed in all districts.
The election officers will also have to hold separate meetings with banks in respective districts. Meetings in Shillong and Tura are likely to be held on Saturday.