Monitoring teams appointed by the Election Commission of India have seized more than Rs 13 crore “illegal cash” in the four states and one union territory that will hold elections this year. They recovered the highest amount – Rs 7.87 crore – in Tamil Nadu. So far, authorities have seized Rs 4.17 crore in cash in Kerala, Rs 69.66 lakh in West Bengal and Rs 63.22 lakh in Assam. They recovered Rs 20,400 illegal cash in Puducherry, according to data from the commission.

The elections body deployed special patrol teams to these states soon after the schedule of the Assembly elections was announced, to curtail the use of illegal incentives, PTI reported. The teams include expenditure observers from the income tax and customs and excise departments, who were given the task of keeping track of black money and expenditures candidates incur during polls.

The commission’s model code of conduct – a set of guidelines parties and candidates contesting in elections must adhere to in their speeches, election manifestos and processions, as well as on polling day and at polling booths – came into force on March 4. The Assembly elections in these states and Puducherry will be held between April 4 and May 16.