PANJIM: Raising concern about the possible misuse of casinos to stash illegal money for the 2017 poll campaign, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the Goa government to keep strict vigil on casino operations during the election period.
Addressing media persons on Thursday, after reviewing the poll preparations, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi said political parties drew their attention to casinos operating in the State, which could be misused.
“We held a meeting with the Chief Secretary and other officers and conveyed our concerns with regard to the casinos. We
raised serious concern about the likely misuse of casinos to park illegal money for the elections,” Zaidi said.
Zaidi said that Goa being a tourism State and having casinos, ECI or state administration cannot interfere in the normal activities, but as far as fund diversion for polls is concerned, it has to act. “We have to monitor casinos. We have asked Chief Secretary to ensure that there is no misuse of casino to park illegal money and hence to keep strong vigil on casino operations,” CEC said.
Zaidi ruled out the possibility of casinos being asked to shut down operations in the run-up to the polls. “Unless absolutely unavoidable we need not work towards curbing casinos,” he said responding to a question.
The ECI is hopeful that the impact of demonetisation may be visible in the elections due to less cash availability. “The amount of cash seizures taking place in Goa in the last few days is something to worry about. There is possible use of money power,” the CEC stated.
Political parties brought to the ECI’s attention that there should be strict check on money or liquor distribution to influence voters. “We have assured political parties that ECI is committed to prevent misuse of money and liquor to influence voters,” he said.
Zaidi said that ‘a multi-disciplinary task force’ will be working at the State, district and constituency level comprising officials of I-T, narcotics, customs, excise, commercial etc. “In Goa, apart from liquor and cash, there are large transactions of merchandise and hence we will issue directions to traders to report to the task force if it come across some large orders of goods,” he said.
The Commission has also instructed that strict vigil be maintained on cross border smuggling of liquor and other illicit items for inducement of voters. “For this purpose, a detailed plan of action must be prepared for systematic and robust border checking and regular enforcement action must be taken to deter such unscrupulous activities,” Zaidi said.
During political interactions, parties including Congress, brought to the notice of ECI about the undue haste in finalising the Outline Development Plans (ODP), which may lead to certain misuse or monetary transactions. “Chief Secretary has taken note of it and we have directed to go as per the law,” the CEC stated.
As far as law and order is concerned, Zaidi said that the Commission attaches highest importance to creating conducive environment for peaceful, free and fair elections. Hence, commission directed DGP to prepare police station wise data of non-bailable warrants, armed licences, vulnerable locations, list of anti-social elements, past election-related offences and monitor them on day-today-basis.
