ECI issues guidelines for Collection of information regarding suspicious cash transactions from banks

Chandigarh, 27 March: Election Commission of India has issues guidelines regarding collection of information of suspicious cash transactions from banks during the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct.

Disclosing this here today the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab Dr. S. Karuna Raju stated that in order to maintain purity of election process, the District Election Officers (DEOs) shall get information from the Banks regarding suspicious cash transactions made through the banks during the election process such as Unusual and suspicious cash withdrawal or deposit of cash in a bank account exceeding Rs. 1 lakh that the District Electoral Officer (DEO) can seek information pertaining  to any such instance of deposit or withdrawal during the last two months. He said unusual transfer of amount through RTGS from one bank account to the accounts of several persons in a district/constituency during the election process without any precedent of such transfer or any deposit of cash or withdrawal of cash exceeding Rs. 1 lakh from bank account of candidates or spouse or his dependants, as mentioned in the affidavit filed by candidates which is available on CEO’s website.

The Chief Electoral Officer further said that the information related to any withdrawal of cash and deposit of cash exceeding Rs. 1 lakh in the account of any political party during the election process or any other suspicious cash transactions, which might be used for bribing the electors could be obtained from banks and wherever it is suspected that the cash may be used for bribing of electors, then Flying Squad may be asked to take necessary action, after due verification. However, if the amount of cash deposit or withdrawal is more than Rs.10 lakh, then such information shall be passed on to the Nodal Officer of the Income Tax Department, for taking necessary action under the Income Tax laws.