126 SSTs check flow of cash, liquor in Ludhiana

Ludhiana, May 7, 2024: A total of 126 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) have begun monitoring the flow of liquor and cash to ensure effective management of the election process in Ludhiana. These teams are holding special checkpoints to keep a watchful eye on any suspicious activities. Nine SSTs are assigned to each assembly segment in the Ludhiana district, with nine under the Ludhiana parliamentary constituency (PC) and five under the Fatehgarh Sahib parliamentary constituency (PC). These teams are responsible for assisting the Election Commission in implementing the Model Code of Conduct strictly and will remain functional until the completion of polls.

District Election Officer, Sakshi Sawhney, has mentioned that these teams are led by officials with executive magisterial powers, and include police officials and videographers to record their activities daily. The teams are tasked with ensuring campaign expenses are within limits, including any vehicle carrying campaign material over Rs 10,000 and cash more than Rs 50,000. They will also check for items that could be used as bribes to the voters such as illegal liquor, arms, and other suspicious activities that could influence voters.

Sawhney also stated that cash over Rs 10 lakh would immediately be reported to the income-tax department, drugs to the narcotics bureau, liquor to the excise officials, and goods to GST officials. She added that Atam Nagar, Gill, and Ludhiana South constituencies under the Ludhiana PC, and the Sahnewal Assembly segment (which falls in Ludhiana district) under Fatehgarh Sahib PC are expenditure-sensitive.

The district administration and police are committed to holding free, fair, and transparent elections. Sawhney encouraged the residents to cast their vote without any fear or influence from anyone.