Mumbai

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has placed 87 Assembly constituencies in Maharashtra under close watch due to recent seizures of gold and cash and reports of excessive spending. This scrutiny comes as the state prepares for the upcoming elections, with the ECI urging district returning officers to form additional special squads. These teams, consisting of officers from the Central Armed Police Force, aim to prevent the flow of illicit cash and gold during the electoral process.

The 87 constituencies are particularly concerning, as they experienced significant seizures during the Lok Sabha elections, including cash, gold, drugs, and gifts. The ECI has also observed candidates exceeding the prescribed expenditure limits in these areas.

To enhance monitoring, the ECI has instructed the Maharashtra government and the Chief Electoral Officer to remain vigilant against suspicious activities, including cash movement in vehicles disguised as police vans. Furthermore, they have mandated increased scrutiny of online transactions and cargo movement at airstrips and helipads.

Additionally, the ECI has called for rigorous checks on interstate borders to combat the flow of illicit goods and has identified specific constituencies to monitor closely, including Akkalkua, Shahada, and Nagpur Central, among others. This proactive approach underscores the ECI’s commitment to fair and transparent elections.