Post gold seizure, EC strengthens flying squads

“As of now, 144 flying squad teams and 144 static surveillance teams (SST) have been deployed to control malpractices and violation of election model code of conduct,” Prakash told reporters during a training session for polling officials in Vyasarpadi. Earlier, 48 flying squad teams and 48 static surveillance teams only had been deployed in the city.

Prakash added that movement of flying squads are being monitored with GPS devices. “The FST and SST have seized Rs 1.38 crore in cash carried without valid documents. The teams have also seized 13 kg of gold and 86.21 kg of silver, apart from 950 mobile phones till Saturday,” he said. Meanwhile, as many as 20,271 officials belonging to various government departments and public sector units have been appointed as polling officials and the first training session for the officials was held at 16 Assembly constituencies in Chennai district, on Sunday.

“The polling officials were trained on using EVMs and VVPAT devices. Three more training sessions will be held before the elections,” a Chennai Corporation press statement said. The civic body has also removed more than 24,000 political advertisements from the public and private buildings. As many as 68 police cases were filed against the violation of election model code of conduct.