16 election observers for Vellore

VELLORE: The Election Commission of India has deputed 16 observers - eight expenditure observers, seven general observers and one police observer - to ensure free and fair elections in the May 16 assembly election, Collector Rajendra Ratnoo has said.
Usually, two or three observers would be deputed in a district. The ECI might have analysed the expenditure perspective of the district and deputed more number of observers here, said the collector during a press conference on Wednesday.The observers will monitor and review the activities of static surveillance teams and flying squads.
"We have also constituted village monitoring committee in all panchayats in the district to improve vigilance at the grossroots level. Youngsters, neutral organisations and ex-servicemen will be part of the committees. They will dissuade the villagers from getting money or gift articles for votes. They will promote ethical voting among the villagers," he said.
The police department has also instructed to intensify checking in inter-state check posts, toll plazas and other critical points in the district, he said.
There are 204 sensitive booths in the district. The number will increase based on the candidates and parties contesting the election in particular constituencies. This will be continuously assessed.
When asked that people are being ferried in goods vehicle for election campaign, the collector said that he would instruct the regional transport office and police to book cases for transporting people in goods vehicles. It would also be captured and added nto the shadow expenditure list of the candidate and the party concerned, he said.
A total of 86 cases registered against political parties on charges of violating the model code of conduct, he said. On seizure, the collector said that a total of 156 cases registered. Cash to the tune of 1.71 crore and goods worth 4.54 seized during the vehicle checks.
Except 15 lakh, the remaining cash and goods seized during the raid have been returned to the owners after they produced the documents. He also urged the businessmen and traders to carry proper documents while carrying cash or goods.
"It is not the aim of the SST and flying squads to harass the public. They are doing their duty," he added.