By IANS,
New Delhi : As election results for five assemblies came in Friday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S.Y. Quraishi expressed serious concern over the growing influence of money power in the poll process and asked political parties to introspect.According to the CEC, about Rs.70 crore was seized from the four states and one union territory that went to the polls in April-May. Of this, Rs.60 crore was seized from Tamil Nadu alone.
“It has become a matter of concern us,” Quraishi told reporters.
“We do feel that for every Rs.1 crore we seize, we are preventing the entry of Rs.40-50 crore,” Quraishi said, appealing to parties to introspect.
“It is not one party which is guilty. All parties are guilty. Some do it more, some do it less. They have to come together and introspect,” he said, adding that money was creating “havoc” in the election system.
Talking about the election reforms, Quraishi said national consultations will be held for it.
“After that, we will have a national meeting with the prime minister and other leaders attending it. We hope to go forward.”