The flying squads need to check and act on complaints of violation of model code of conduct, anti-social activities, threat, intimidation, and bribing of voters with liquor and cash.
The Tamil Nadu state election commission has directed the collectors of nine districts to form flying squads for one to three panchayat unions where rural local body polls will be held on October 6 and 9.
As per the official release, the flying squads would comprise executive magistrates in the rank of tahsildars, revenue divisional officers besides police personnel. They need to check and act on complaints of violation of model code of conduct, anti-social activities, threat, intimidation, and bribing of voters with liquor and cash.
“The district collectors should constitute the flying squads in a way that they operate 24 hours. The squads with an eight-hour duty on a shift-basis should be constituted,” the release read.
The squads have been instructed to seize a party candidate or agent or a cadre if they are found carrying cash worth Rs 50,000 or more, or any election-related materials worth Rs 10,000 or more. The squads have also been directed to take action against those who are found carrying liquor, drugs, weapons or gift items.
The nomination process for the posts including village panchayat ward member, village panchayat president, panchayat union ward member and district panchayat ward member concludes today (Wednesday).
As per the release from the election commission, 64,299 nominations were received till Tuesday.