Election Commission set up multi agency grid to curb Black Money

The Election Commission on 11 March 2014 created a multi-agency grid of revenue and security intelligence agencies. The aim is to curb the use of black money in Lok Sabha and assembly polls. The intelligence agency will regularly update Election Commission about suspected financial movements.

Election Commission in the first of its kind initiative had created a board of senior officials drawn from ten financial and security intelligence departments.

The intelligence agencies include the officials from income tax intelligence and investigations, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Economic Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau and the security forces of SSB, BSF, CISF and the Railway Protection Force.

The board will meet twice a week at Nirvachan Sadan to generate common leads and flag suspect money instances.

About Election Commission

The Constitution of India has vested in the Election Commission of India the superintendence, direction and control of the entire process for conduct of elections to Parliament and Legislature of every State and to the offices of President and Vice-President of India.

Election Commission of India is a permanent Constitutional Body. The Election Commission was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950. The Commission celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2001.

Originally the commission had only a Chief Election Commissioner. It currently consists of Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.