Booze overtakes cash in freebie list in poll-bound Karnataka

With the model code of conduct coming into force in Karnataka, the number of seizures by the Election Commission of India have gone up.

The value of cash, liquid and freebies seized by the election body is inching towards the Rs 100 crore mark and the total number of such cases has reached 792.

Preceding Sunday evening, seizures had reached Rs 3.23 crore, the chief electoral officer aid. While the amount was less when compared to the previous days, the grant total reached Rs 99.18 crore, the official also said.

The stationary squads in Yadgiri constituency zeized Rs 34 lakh, while 56 television sets worth Rs 20.9 lakh were seized in Nelamangala of Bengaluru Rural district, the official said.

Sunday's report said that the value of liquor (Rs 1.67 crore) overtook cash (Rs88.5 lakh). The cumulative amount of liquor seized in the last ten days reached Rs 26.53 crore, just a few crores shy of Rs 36.80 crore cash seized during the same period.

The election officials have received a total of 1,760 complaints through the cVIGIL app. Out of this, 1,015 have focused largely on erection of posters and banners without permission while distribution of money, display of firearms, distribution of liquor and intimidation were the other complaints.

There has been a very strict vigil during the elections this year. It is one of the hardest fought elections in the state, with the ruling BJP and opposition Congress going all out against each other.

The election authorities have been on a state of very high-alert as freebies are being doled out like never before. Prior to the commencement of the election process, many political parties had taken advantage of the fact that the model code of conduct was not in place and distributed freebies such as dinner sets and cookers.

Karnataka will be voting on May 10, while the results would be out on May 13.