Bhubaneswar: Bargarh Police have launched a drive called "Yes to vote, No to note" initiative in the poll-bound Bijepur Assembly segment and has announced Rs 2,000 cash incentive for any one providing information about monetary inducement by political parties.
"Apart from a cash incentive, the informers would be given a note of appreciation. If they so desire, the identity of whistleblowers will be kept confidential. Public announcement vehicles to sensitise voters not to fall into the bribe trap have begun moving around in the constituency in an endeavour to ensure free and fair poll," said Bargarh superintendent of police Jai Narayan Pankaj.
"The sensitisation programme forms part of our orchestrated efforts for free and fair poll," he said.
"Our objective is to cover all the villages of the 59 gram panchayats and one notified area council going for election. We will try our level best to connect all the 2.21 lakh voters who will exercise their franchise on the February 24 bypoll in Bijepur Assembly constituency. Leaflets are being distributed to sensitise the voters to properly assert their democratic rights," said Pankaj.
The campaign that began on Friday has evoked positive reactions from the people, many of whom could be seen making queries to the personnel supervising the publicity van. Many people noted down the telephone number printed on the publicity materials. The publicity van on Friday covered the NAC area and its suburbs.
"Our campaign drew curious crowd wherever we went and the people bombarded use with questions," said a police personnel manning the campaign van. "We tried to explain to the people the value of each vote. By taking money for vote, people are compromising on their self-respect. We told them that development of the area would be jeopardised if they did not elect honest and competent people to the Assembly."
This week, the police have seized Rs 3.2 lakh in cash from two vehicles in the Gaisilat area of Bijepur Assembly constituency. A three-member committee constituted following election commission guidelines is scrutinising the money seizure.
"Penal action will be initiated if the committee finds improprieties in the cash transportation," Pankaj said.
