• Source:JND
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Enforcement agencies in Bihar have seized cash, liquor, drugs, and other freebies worth a total of Rs 33.97 crore as part of measures to prevent voter inducement ahead of the state’s upcoming elections. Bihar is set to go to polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14. These seizures have been carried out since the announcement of the elections on October 6.

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To keep a close watch on election spending, expenditure observers have been deployed to various constituencies, arriving on the day notifications were issued for both phases. These observers are tasked with meeting the monitoring teams and ensuring that all candidates’ election-related expenses are properly tracked.

The Election Commission has also activated flying squads, surveillance and video monitoring teams, and an online Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) to report any seizures or interceptions in real time. The Commission emphasized that while enforcing these directives, ordinary citizens should not face inconvenience or harassment during inspections.

Election Commission Norms Ahead Of Bihar Elections 

1. The Election Commission banned bulk SMS, audio messages, and all political advertisements in TV, radio, cinema halls, cable networks, and polling areas during the 48-hour silence period ending with the conclusion of voting in the Bihar Assembly elections.

2. All registered national and state political parties, as well as contesting candidates, must seek pre-certification from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) for all political advertisements on electronic and social media before publication.

3. District- and state-level MCMCs have been set up to pre-certify political advertisements, and no content can be released on internet-based platforms, including social media, without approval from the respective committee.

4. The MCMC will monitor suspected cases of paid news in the media and take appropriate action against violations.

5. Candidates are required to share details of their official social media accounts at the time of filing nominations, reflecting the growing role of social media in elections.

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6. Political parties must submit statements of all internet and social media-related campaign expenditures to the Election Commission within 75 days of the assembly elections’ conclusion.

7. These expenditures include payments to internet companies, content development costs, and operational expenses for maintaining social media accounts, as noted by the election authority.

(With PTI Inputs)

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