Regarding amendments sought in Election Code of Conduct or the Election related Law

Regarding amendments sought in Election Code of Conduct or the Election related Law KUMARI SUDHA R. (MAYILADUTHURAI): Hon. Chairperson Madam, Vanakkam. Elections are round the corner in five States of our country. Election Code of Conduct has come into force in Tamil Nadu since 15 March 2026. No person can carry more than Rs.50000 in cash or material more than a worth of Rs.10000. If they carry with them more than the value mentioned, they have to show valid documents as proof. They are in a position to explain the whereabouts of that money or material. These are the rules of the Election Commission. But these rules came into force 20 years ago. But today, there is price rise. Salaries have gone up multi-fold. Income has increased. In this scenario, there is a slab of Rs. 50,000 for cash and Rs. 10,000 for material. This does not seem feasible. There were four incidents that took place in Tamil Nadu which have appeared on newspapers. Particularly the poor and downtrodden people are very much affected. Moreover, this is the season for marriages in Tamil Nadu. Auspicious days are also listed in this month for such occasions. People belonging to poor farming families, with their lifelong earnings, if they go to market for purchasing a Mangal Sutra or a Silk Saree for the bride, their daughter, the Officials of Election Commission snatch away that money. This government should consider about these issues. They should try to give back immediately the seized money and material to those affected people. Because they cannot approach Election Commission to get back their money and material, as it becomes a tedious process. Particularly a cancer patient who came to India from Myanmar, for dialysis was carrying money with him and that money was seized on his way to a hospital. Election Commission should immediately intervene in such matters and refund all those money to those from whom it was collected. Following such a strict procedure adds to the difficulties faced in today's world. Therefore, I urge that an Amendment be brought in Election Code of Conduct or the Election related Laws which is the need of the hour. Madam, I will conclude in a minute. Recently in the year 2024, in Tirunelveli Express, as much as Rs. 4 crore of unaccounted money was seized by the Election Commission from a candidate who contested the Lok Sabha Elections in Tamil Nadu. But it is still unclear that what has happened to that seized money? He was Mr Nainar Nagendran the BJP candidate. It remains unclear as to what happened to that huge money that was seized from such a highly placed person. But the poor people are affected day in and day out.