Panaji: The Election Commission of India (ECI) feels that politicians may use money routed through casinos and matka to influence voters ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and the byelections in the state. The ECI also feels that candidates may push drugs to influence voters in certain areas.Speaking to TOI, chief electoral officer Kunal said the commission will monitor casinos for laundering. Kunal said our eyes and ears are open and there are many channels like emails and public complaints.“Police and other agencies would be deployed and they will conduct surprise checks to monitor, plus based on specific complaints we will also carry out appropriate action,” he said.“We want strict adherence to the existing laws and election laws are not separate. It is part of the existing laws and all agencies need to follow,” Kunal said.Asked how drugs are used in elections and how the usage would be monitored, the chief electoral officer said the commission had already had a meeting with Narcotics Control Bureau and Goa police.“We have told the agencies that since drugs are costly and can be used to influence voting behaviour, they have to proactively implement the NDPS Act. In areas which are hotspots, we will deploy special teams,” Kunal said.The chief electoral officer said, matka is illegal betting, obviously there is money in it. This channel may be used to pass money to the electorate to influence voting, so it is necessary to keep a check on matka activity too, he said.

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