Introduction: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a crucial directive to combat the influence of money power during the upcoming General Elections to Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim in 2024. In a bid to ensure fair and credible elections, the ECI has sought collaboration with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) to monitor election expenditures and curb illicit activities.
Detailed Analysis:
1. Directive Overview: The ECI directive, referenced as No. 76/ECI/INST/GEs/EEM/EEPS/2024, highlights the significance of controlling money power during elections. It emphasizes the need for stringent measures to prevent the misuse of funds and illicit activities that could jeopardize the democratic process.
2. Collaborative Efforts: The directive requisitions the services of CBIC under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution to tackle the menace of money power effectively. This collaboration underscores the commitment of both organizations to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
3. Election Expenditure Monitoring: The ECI has issued comprehensive instructions for Election Expenditure Monitoring, outlining measures to curb the flow of unaccounted money and illicit goods during the electoral period. This includes monitoring the movement of smuggled and contraband goods, as well as sharing information with relevant authorities, such as the Income Tax Department.
4. Role of CBIC: CBIC is tasked with taking proactive measures to prevent the movement of contraband and narcotics during the election period. This involves close coordination with enforcement agencies and sharing real-time information through systems like the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS).
5. Online Reporting System: The ECI has developed ESMS, an online system for reporting interceptions and seizures made by field staff and enforcement agencies. CBIC Nodal Officers across all States/UTs are required to report such incidents in real-time, ensuring swift action against illicit activities.
Conclusion: The collaboration between the Election Commission of India and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs signifies a concerted effort to safeguard the democratic process from the influence of money power and illicit activities. By implementing stringent monitoring mechanisms and fostering cooperation between relevant authorities, both organizations aim to uphold the principles of free, fair, and credible elections in India.
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MOST IMMEDIATE
By Special Messenger
ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110001
No. 76/ECI/INST/GEs/EEM/EEPS/2024 Dated : 16th March, 2024
To
The Chairman,
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Custom
Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India
North Block, New Delhi-110001
Subject: General Elections to Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim, 2024-Election Expenditure Monitoring- Regarding.
Sir,
I am directed to state that General Elections to Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim, 2024 have been announced by the Commission vide its Press Note No. ECI/PN/23/2024, dated 16th March, 2024. The details are available at https://eci.gov.in. In this connection, the Commission hereby requisitions the services of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Custom under Article 324 of the Constitution of India in order to curb the menace of money power during the upcoming elections.
2. The Commission has issued exhaustive instructions on Election Expenditure Monitoring for abovementioned elections and taken several measures to control the menace of money power during The Commission apprehends that miscreants may use smuggled/contraband goods. narcotics during the elections thereby vitiating the level playing field and hampering the conduct of a free, fair and credible elections. It is, therefore, desirable that CBIC takes pro-active measures to check the movement of contraband. narcotics and smuggled goods during election period and share information regarding generation of unaccounted income from such activities with the Income Tax Department. Any information regarding movement of smuggled/contraband goods, narcotics etc. during election may be shared with the Nodal Officer of the appropriate agency. A list of Nodal Officers of’ all organisations involved in expenditure monitoring is enclosed.
3. The Commission has developed an online system called Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) for reporting of interception/seizure made by FSs, SSTs and enforcement agencies at real time basis during election period. You are requested to ensure that the CBIC Nodal Officers of all States/UTs are reporting interception/seizure made by them through Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) at real time case.
4. All instructions issued in this regard may be endorsed to the Commission.
Yours faithfully,
(SUJEET KUMAR MISHRA)
SECRETARY
