By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, SEPT 13, 2014: THE Election Commission yesterday announced October 15 as the polling date for Assembly Polls in the States of Maharashtra and Haryana. Even before the announcements were made, the electioneering had reached a new peak with political aspirants switching camps to seek their salvation.

As per the Press Release of the EC, Haryana has 90 seats, including 17 reserved for SCs and 288 in Maharashtra with 29 for SCs and 25 STs. As regards the number of voters, there are about 8.25 Crore in Maharashtra and 1.6 voters in Haryana.

Given the role of black money in polls the EC has issued comprehensive instructions for the purpose of effective monitoring of the election expenditure of the candidates. EC has asked for formation of flying squads, static surveillance Teams, video surveillance Teams, involvement of Investigation Directorates of Income Tax Deptt. etc. State Excise Departments and police authorities have been asked to monitor production, distribution, sale and storage of liquor and other intoxicants during the election process.

For greater transparency and for ease of monitoring of Election Expenses, Candidates would be required to open a separate bank account and incur their election expenses from that very account. The Investigation Directorate of Income Tax Dept. has been asked to open Air Intelligence unit in the airports of these states and also to gather intelligence and take necessary action against movement of large sum of money in these states.

Expenditure Observers and Assistant Exp. Observers from Central Government are being appointed to keep close watch on election expenditure of the candidates. Control room and Complaint Monitoring Centre with 24 hours toll free numbers shall be operative during the entire election process. Banks and financial intelligence units of Government of India have been asked to forward suspicious cash withdrawal reports to the election officials.

All candidates must ensure that they file their affidavits in the revised format (Form 26) only.

Paid News

To deal with the issue of ‘Paid News', a mechanism has been laid out with three tier of Media certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMC) at District, State and ECI level. Revised comprehensive instruction on ‘Paid News' are available on the Commission's Website.

Necessary instructions have been issued to the CEOs of the poll going states to ensure briefing of political parties and Media in the districts about ‘Paid News' and the mechanism to check ‘Paid News'. The MCMCs of all states have been trained to do their job.