EC IDENTIFIES ‘EXPENDITURE SENSITIVE’ SEATS

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has identified 28 so-called expenditure-sensitive constituencies in Gujarat and 35 expenditure sensitive pockets (some areas within constituencies) in Himachal Pradesh, ahead of the upcoming elections in the states. Expenditure-sensitive seats are those where there is a strong likelihood of parties seeking to influence voters by distributing cash, liquor, drugs, or other items.

While Gujarat is set to go to polls on December 1 and 5, Himachal Pradesh polls will be on November 12. “In 2017, the total seizure (of cash, liquor and other such inducements) ahead of the Himachal Pradesh elections was ₹9 crore; this time, we have already seized goods with ₹28 crore,” chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said.