More cash seized in polls after notes ban: Ex-CEC Rawat

NEW DELHI: Demonetisation was thought to be a way of reducing the misuse of money during elections, but the ground reality is different, says OP Rawat, who retired last week as Chief Election Commissioner. More cash was seized after the notes ban compared to previous elections, Rawat told a news agency.

"After demonetisation, it was thought that misuse of money during elections would be brought down. But it couldn't be proved from the data of the seizures," the former top election officer said.

"Compared to previous elections, there were more seizures in the same states," he revealed, referring to the five states where elections are currently on.

At the time, the government said it was an attempt to choke tax evaders who stashed black or untaxed money. Earlier this year, the RBI delivered the stunning news in a report that nearly all of the banned cash had returned to the system. OP Rawat retired on Saturday and handed over the reins to his successor Sunil Arora, who will preside over the all-important 2019 national election.