Tax officials to scan poll affidavits

In a bid to control money flow and bribe attempts, the Election Commission will involve income tax officials in checking the affidavits of candidates. “For the first time in the country , income tax officials will be screening the affidavits of candidates to identify any mismatch between the income of candidates and the assets shown in the affidavit.Those at fault will be prosecuted as per law,“ said chief election commissioner Nasim Zaidi in Chennai on Friday .
A full Election Commission team reviewed the poll preparedness of Tamil Nadu. The team met representatives of various political parties, district officials, and NGOs in the last two days. “The I-T department will be able to sync the income returns and affidavits filed by candidates. In the I-T return, an assessee discloses his source of income and property details are not mentioned. But with an election nomination, property details are disclosed and the I-T department will be able to know whether the property matches known sources of income,“ said a veteran chartered accountant.
The EC has sought details on the reported flow of crores of rupees in Tamil Nadu. “We have noticed the remarks of Reserve Bank of India governor Raghuram Rajan and State Bank of India chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya on more cash flow in the banks. The EC has written to the RBI seeking details on the increased flow of money . Flying squads involved in seizure of money and material will henceforth have one central force official and an IPS probationer in the squad apart from the state police. Their movement will be monitored through GPS,“ the CEC said.
Asking officials to be impartial in the elections, the CEC said officials would be watched on a real time basis and action would be taken against them if they are found to side with any party or person. “On the moral side too, the officials will be made to take a pledge to be impartial and take immediate action on persons involved in distribution of money . The district collector will be held responsible if a voter goes without voting due to any reason,“ said Zaidi.
On the ethics of taking bribes, the EC warned voters who receive money .“Those giving money and accepting it for voting will be prosecuted. He advised voters to check their names after it is published on April 19 as more than six lakh names dead and duplicate voter names have been deleted,“ the CEC said.