EC's flying squads to monitor poll campaign in Assam

The Election Commission is deploying 'flying squads' in poll-bound Assam to monitor the expenditure of all political parties and to prevent the practice of bribing voters. These squads have the power to file FIRs and seize 'bribe' material including cash.

"We have already constituted flying squads in all the election districts across the state, each headed by a magistrate and comprising of police personnel in order to inquire into cases of bribery of voters by political parties and candidates, be it by cash or in kind. In the sensitive constituencies, paramilitary personnel are also being roped into such squads," Chief Electoral Officer Hemanta Narzary said.

These flying squads would not only monitor the campaign but also take direct action, apart from reporting the matter to accounting teams, Narzary said.

As per the new Election Commission mechanism, Static Surveillance Teams are being granted the power to search candidates, leaders of political parties and their vehicles.

"These teams are empowered to search persons and vehicles to look for cash, liquor and any other item that candidates and parties might carry for distribution among voters with the intention of bribing them," the Assam CEO said.

Each election district in Assam will have ten different teams including video surveillance teams, video viewing teams, accounting teams, flying squads and expenditure monitoring teams in order to ensure that candidates and parties do not flout the model code of conduct laid down by the Election Commission.

The Election Commission has announced a two-phase election in Assam, which will be held on April 4 and April 11.