The district administration has geared up to implement model code of conduct (MCC) in letter and spirit in all the four Assembly constituencies under Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat.
As part of the first exercise, police and a flying squad accompanied by executive magistrates seized vehicles and cash from different persons who have been unable to explain the purpose of carrying cash.
Notably, one has to account for cash in possession if it is more than Rs 50, 000.
As per the code of conduct for the election, each vehicle to be used for election has to take prior permission. At the same time, one has to clarify the purpose of carrying cash of Rs 50, 000 or more and also explain the source.
“But three cases of irregularities have come to the notice of the officials engaged in checking of vehicles at different locations,†informed Sambalpur ADM Ajay Kumar Jena.
In the first case, the police at Jujomura, seized a Bolero bearing No OR 15M 5151 engaged in electioneering for an aspirant BJP candidate. Tehsildar of Jujomura Susanta Nayak seized the vehicle and handed it over to the police there as it had no permission for the purpose, the ADM informed.
“The Tehsildar and team have also made video shooting of the entire episode so that no one can find an escape route in future,†he added.
Further, the flying squad seized Rs 1 lakh from one Anil Kumar Sahu, a resident of Hirakud under Sambalpur Assembly constituency. When Sahu couldn’t give any satisfactory reply as to carrying of the cash, the squad handed over the cash to Dhanupali police and registered a case against him.
In the second case, the flying squad seized Rs 2 lakh from Antaryami Pradhan, a resident of Deogarh district. The cash was seized near Ardabahal village coming under Kuchinda constituency. The squad handed over the cash in the nearest police station at Mahulpali. Keeping in view to the general election and the money game by different political parties, the police and flying squad are now making massive checking in important roads and chowks.
“Nobody will be spared from police checking and very stringent action will be taken against those violating the model code of conduction,†ADM Jena warned.
