Itanagar, April 5 (IANS): The security forces confiscated over Rs 5.48 crore in cash in the three weeks since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force in poll-bound Arunachal Pradesh, where simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the Assembly would be held in the first phase on April 19, officials said on Friday.

The officials said that the flying squads and the static surveillance teams deployed by the Election Commission in different parts of Arunachal seized over Rs 5.48 crore in cash, while the cumulative value of the cash and other seized items, including liquor, drugs, expensive metals, and freebies, stood at over Rs 14.05 crore during this period.

The Model Code of Conduct came into force on March 16 after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections and Assembly polls in four states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Odisha.

According to an election official, the surveillance teams along with the police seized cash amounting to Rs 1 crore from Longding district, Rs 22.20 lakh from Itanagar Capital Region, and another Rs 16.10 lakh from East Kameng district during vehicle-checking on Thursday night.

The Income Tax Department is looking into the matter of cash seizure, he said.

According to the official, following the direction of the Election Commission to curb ‘money culture’ during elections, carrying cash amounting to more than Rs 50,000 is not permitted without valid backing documents.

Elections to the two Lok Sabha seats -- Arunachal West and Arunachal East -- and 50 of the 60 Assembly seats in Arunachal will be held on April 19.

Ten ruling BJP candidates for the Assembly polls, including Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, have already won their respective seats without any contest.

The counting of votes for the Assembly elections will be held on June 2, while the results of the Lok Sabha elections will be announced on June 4.