EC to focus on ‘inducement-free’ LS elections in Karnataka, says top official

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Meena said on Wednesday that the focus is to have an “inducement-free” Lok Sabha elections in the state with strict vigilance on “star campaigners” and ensure a level playing field in the entire process.

Noting that more than muscle power, it’s the inducement issue that the southern states face in the election process, he told PTI in an interview. “Our focus is to have an inducement-free and fair election. We will put more effort and teams to ensure it is free, fair and peaceful.”.

“We have almost 14 enforcement agencies from the Central as well as the state government which will keep an eye on everything. We started this exercise six months ago with Income Tax, Enforcement Directorate, Customs, Director of Revenue Intelligence, Narcotics Bureau, Excise…all part of this (exercise) are keeping tabs on where the money, drugs, liquor is flowing…who are the kingpins and where it is being stored. So we have an advanced vigilance on them (political parties),” he added.