Crores seized in EC crackdown in UP; FIRs against 757

More than Rs 23 crore of unaccounted money has been seized since the Election Commission cracked its whip to ensure strict enforcement of the election model code of conduct across Uttar Pradesh, which is all set to elect its 403-member state assembly through a five-phased poll in February-March.

According to Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha, "The cash was seized from different parts of the state over the past one week."

He said, "Since the persons carrying such cash had no convincing explanation to offer, it was obvious that the money was being transferred on the sly for use in elections."

While several persons were arrested in this connection, as many as 757 complaints were lodged against others for poll violations.

EC's special teams have also made a huge haul of 98,312 litres of liquor while 1,563 illegal weapons were also seized during the recent drive.

"Besides un-licensed weapons, we have also ensured submission of as many as 1,13,443 licensed firearms to prevent their misuse during the elections," Sinha said.

Apart from erasing or obliterating 33,910 wall-writings by political parties or their nominees, enforcement squads of the Election Commission have also ensured removal of 1,57,390 posters and 1,75,000 banners across the state.