How political parties are using GPay, PhonePe to bribe voters in Karnataka

Advancements in technology bring a new set of challenges and the Election Commission is facing one such issue in the Karnataka Assembly polls this time as the political parties have found a way to bribe voters, digitally.

Digital payment transactions in India have significantly increased from 2,071 crore transactions in 2017-18 to 8,840 crore transactions in 2021-22. Today, people in rural parts too are using digital payment apps. Hence, this development does not come as a surprise.

On the other side, this payment method has now become a headache for the EC as it has to tackle bribes given by the political parties to the voters.

Political observers feel that at least 10-15 per cent freebies and payments might be delivered to voters this election through digitally, according to a report in Deccan Herald. Political parties are using daily service shops such as petrol bunks, grocery stores and other centres which have transaction limit of Rs 3-5 lakh daily to deliver freebies, sources informed the newspaper.

"Distribution of money will be shown as daily payment," a source tells.

The payment will be made using apps such as GPay, PhonePe, BhimApp along with others.

An intelligencee officer revealed that the payments will be made through advance vouchers which can be encashed by voters.

However, Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Meena said that they have started the process to prevent such transactions. "We have appointed analysts in each district and asked the banks to provide the required data. Any suspicious transactions will be acted upon," he said.

Also, the EC had a meeting over the issue with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an umbrella organisation regulating the retail payment and settlement systems in India, RBI and the nodal bankers association at the state level, digital payment companies such as GPay, PhonePe, Airtel payment, UPI, BHIM recently, Venkatesh Kumar R, Additional Chief Electoral Officer.

"We have asked them to monitor the bulk transactions and check if these are being done for a long time or are recent phenomena that started in March or April. Criminal action will be initiated against violators. So far, no such cases have been reported in the state," Venkatesh said.

The single-phase election will be held in Karnataka on May 10.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has seized Rs 239.52 crore and this includes cash, precious metals, liquor, drugs, and since the Model Code of Conduct came into effect on March 30.