New Delhi,May 25:The Chief Election Commissioner Mr. N. Gopalaswamy today said, we should understand, address and react quickly to the growing evidence of money power in politics.
Speaking on All India Radio in its live program on the outcome of Karnataka polls, Mr. Gopalaswamy said the involvement of money in politics has been there since long and it has now probably become high stake exercise. He said, in Karnataka the commission’s seizures were worth 45 crores including 18 crore in cash, 10 crore worth of liquor, 15 and a half crore worth of other goods. Pointing out that it is only the tip of the iceberg, the CEC has warned that democratic institutions could well be overwhelmed by unaccounted money. He said the Election observers come into the scene only twenty days before the polls and the Commission may not be expected to work a miracle on the money factor in the electoral process.
Speaking on delimitation of constituencies, the CEC said the Commission was not bothered about the composition of the constituencies and it had gone according to the constitution and the law. He said, in Karnataka GIS maps were used and the least number of administrative units were broken up. The CEC said this had simplified redrawing work and it could be completed in 15 days. Courtsey : AIR