From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Apr 24: The total seizure of unaccounted cash meant for distribution during the ongoing assembly elections in Karnataka has touched a whopping Rs 11 crore as on Wednesday, while the Adugodi police in the City have arrested four persons for campaigning in favour of a candidate and allegedly indulging in free distribution of SIM cards.

Police also seized 4,000 pamphlets printed for canvassing on free distribution of SIM cards to electorate in the Adugodi police station limits.

The State Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha told reporters that a probe has been ordered to investigate the case. A case has been booked against four persons.

The CEO said many complaints have been received against Returning Officers for their alleged partisan attitude in various constituencies.

Complaints have been received against officials of Transport, Revenue and Health departments and Deputy Commissioners, Superintendent of Police and Poll Observers have been asked to investigate into each complaint, he said

“We will verify all complaints. We will transfer or take penal action against officials who are truly found to be supporting any political party candidate,” Jha said.
 

Kids Can’t be Employed for Poll Duty
 
The CEO also sternly warned the candidates against using children for poll campaign.

The commission would take action against candidates if they were found using services of children for distribution of pamphlets and other election materials, he said.

It was reported that a large number of candidates hired services of school children for distributing pamphlets to voters. Children have been asked to deliver pamphlets to individual households in some constituencies.

He, however, said so far no specific complaint has been received on hiring children for campaigning purposes.

“Based on television news and video recording, we will take suo motu action against candidates hiring children,” the CEO said.

To a query on demolition of illegal structures in Bangalore city by civic authorities, he said a large scale demolition would lead to violation of model code of conduct and it would lead to displacement of voters. 

“But we will not obstruct demolition of buildings if they were done on the basis of court orders,” he said.
 

After Hate Speech, Another Complaint Against Eshwarappa
 
The CEO said the Shimoga Rural police have booked a case against Deputy Chief Minister and former State BJP president K S Eshwarappa for allegedly offering inducements to voters during the poll campaign in the Shimoga Rural constituency.

The Election Commission has already pulled up Eshwrappa allegedly for hate speech at a meeting in Shimoga on April 9.
 
Jha said the police registered the case against Eshwarappa, who was found offering cash money to 'aarathi plate’ during the campaign in the constituency on Tuesday.

The video recording indicated that the Deputy Chief Minister was offering cash to women, who welcomed him during poll campaign in the constituency.
 
“The police have booked case against Eshwarappa for giving huge amount of cash. It is the violation of model code of conduct,” he said.

“We have ordered a probe and truth will be known after the investigation is completed,” the CEO said.
 

Cash Seizure Touches Rs 11 crore
 
Illegal cash seized by authorities in various districts crossed Rs 11 crore as on Wednesday.

Authorities have seized cash of Rs 6.15 lakh in Davanagere, Rs 4.63 lakh in Madhugiri, Rs 2.62 lakh in Yellapur, Rsn1.3 lakh in Belaguam and 330 boxes of illegal liquor worth Rs seven lakh in Beelagi in Bagalkote district, Jha said.

Police have seized illegal liquor worth Rs 3 crore so far. A total of 286 cases were booked with regard to violation of model code of conduct.

The CEO said officials, who have been roped in for election duty, and were suffering from health problems would be exempted from the duty on medical grounds.

Officials suffering from health problems could contact District Election Officers and submit their applications seeking exemption from poll duty on medical grounds, the CEO said.

It is reported that many polling officials, particularly pregnant women, have been roped in for polling duty on May 5.