Photo Source; Babushahi Bureau
126 static surveillance teams deployed in Ludhiana
- In Ludhiana, Atm Nagar, Gill, and Ludhiana South constituencies are sensitive to expenses
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana, May 7, 2024– A total of 126 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) have started monitoring the exchange of liquor and cash to ensure effective management of the election process in Ludhiana. Special checkpoints have been set up by these teams to monitor any suspicious activity.
Nine static surveillance teams have been assigned for each assembly constituency of Ludhiana district while five teams have been assigned under Fatehgarh Sahib parliamentary constituency.
These teams are responsible for assisting the Election Commission in the strict implementation of the Model Code of Conduct and will remain operational till the completion of the elections.
District Election Officer Sakshi Sahni said that these teams are headed by officers with executive magisterial powers and include police officers and videographers to record their activities on a daily basis.
The teams have been tasked with ensuring that campaign expenditure is within limits, which include campaign materials above Rs 10,000 and any vehicle carrying cash above Rs 50,000. They will also check items that can be used as bribes to voters such as illegal liquor, weapons and other dubious activities that can influence voters.
District Election Officer Sahni also said that information about cash of more than Rs 10 lakh should be immediately reported to the Income Tax Department, information about drugs to the Narcotics Bureau, excise officials about liquor and GST on goods.
The authorities will be informed. He further said that Atm Nagar, Gill and Ludhiana South Constituencies under Ludhiana Parliamentary Constituency and Sahnewal Vidhan Sabha Constituency under Fatehgarh Sahib Parliamentary Constituency (which falls in Ludhiana District) are cost sensitive.
The district administration and police are committed to conduct free, fair and transparent elections. District Election Officer Sahni encouraged the residents of the area to cast their votes without any fear or influence.