PANAJI: The Election Commission-appointed surveillance and expenditure monitoring teams have recovered currency notes amounting to Rs 52,000 in Curtorim on Thursday, and till now liquor and drugs worth over Rs 77.50 lakh have been seized in the poll-bound state.
As per official records, the seizure of liquor has risen and on Thursday 687 litres valued at Rs 1.53 lakh was seized.
So far the police have seized 27,191 litres of liquor valued at Rs 33.91 lakh. Excise officials made seizure of 1,965 litres of alcohol worth Rs 3.40 lakh.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, chief electoral officer Kunal said that currency notes amounting to Rs 52,000 were seized on suspicion from a person at Maina-Curtorim on Thursday.
Speaking about the inducements offered to voters as freebies, Kunal said that 33,525 litres of spirit valued Rs 45.50 lakh was seized while drugs worth Rs 32 lakh have been seized in the state since January 4.
He said that expenditure monitoring machinery has been fully activated and preventive measures are being taken with coordinated efforts of income-tax authorities, banks, police and excise and other departments.
The commission on Friday detained at St Cruz two vehicles used for campaigning by the AAP and the BJP for violating the EC norms by displaying banners on the vehicles.
“The BJP has been permitted only video van and not display of banners and posters. However, flags are permissible. We will take necessary action as per the Motor Vehicle Act and election laws. There are 19 more video vans of the BJP which will be also examined and uniform action will be taken against any violation,” Kunal said. The returning officer has issued a show-cause notice against an Independent candidate in Priol on Thursday for inciting communal disharmony at a corner meeting.
Over a complaint received from Priol on defaming political leaders on social media by a group called ‘Goa Plus’, the Goa chief electoral officer asked the South Goa SP to investigate the matter.
Kunal warned political parties and candidates against defaming opponents on social media.
The flying squad has video recorded around 50 Congress workers partying at Coral Spring at Karaswada, Mapusa.
The expenditure observer has been apprised of the matter.
In Colvale, the flying squad stopped people from putting up iron benches.
