ECI seizes cash, goods worth Rs 1.26 crore in Tamil Nadu, transfers four SPs

A day after MCC came into force, flying squads and static surveillance teams seized unaccounted cash and goods worth Rs 1.26 crore in Tamil Nadu, chief electoral officer Archana Patnaik said on Monday.

In a major bureaucratic shuffle, the ECI transferred Greater Chennai Police deputy commissioners D N Hari, Sujit Kumar and N Shreenatha and anti-terrorism squad superintendent of police (SP) D V Kiran Shruthi. They were posted as SPs of Karur, Nagapattinam, Virudhunagar and Erode respectively. The transferred-out SPs from these districts have not been assigned alternative posts. The transfer of Karur SP Jose Thangiah came hours after former state BJP chief K Annamalai demanded his removal from the post.

Speaking to reporters in Chennai, Patnaik said the ECI deployed 2,106 flying squads and an equal number of static surveillance teams across the state to enforce the MCC. The ECI has roped in officials from various depts to monitor digital transactions and AI-generated social media content.

Responding to concerns from businessmen, farmers and the public about ceiling on carrying cash and goods during the MCC period, Patnaik said officials would ensure that people were not "inconvenienced". "Any amount of cash can be carried with valid documents. People can approach the district-level committee if they face any issue," she said.

Patnaik asked political parties to strictly follow MCC guidelines. Though the window for filing nominations was from March 30 to April 6, the candidates will effectively have only five days to file nominations, as three days during the period would be govt holidays.

She said since the publication of the final electoral roll after the Special Intensive Revision exercise, officials received 3.14 lakh Form 6 applications seeking inclusion in the voter list. Form 6 applications can be submitted until March 26.

Later in the day, Patnaik held discussions with representatives of recognised national and regional parties. The opposition urged the ECI to transfer bureaucrats and police officers who were acting in favour of any particular party.