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Commission to monitor casino activity ahead of elections


The Election Commission (EC) has vowed to keep an eye on casinos in the state ahead of the upcoming Goa assembly elections, local media reports.

"Political parties fear misuse of casinos where voters could be gifted to influence them, therefore, the state administration has been directed to keep an eye on them,” said Chief Election Commissioner Naseem Zaidi speaking to local media.

"Senior officials of Karnataka and Goa have been roped in to tackle concerns over casino misuse and the teams are working on a strategy," he added.

As well as monitoring the entry and exit of casinos and transactions, the purchase of bulk items will also be under watch.

"Purchase of items like pressure cookers, bicycles etc., are under watch. A list of 200 establishments have been made and the state administration is watching their sales." he said.

According to the chief electoral officer, a total of 250 candidates are in the running for the upcoming Goa Assembly elections.

In other news, the Congress Party in its manifesto, has vowed to ban all casinos, including floating casinos in the state.

"Floating casinos in Goa's river will be closed permanently," reads the manifesto of Congress that was released on Monday by Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia in Panaji.

"Those on the shore too will be closed at a later stage," Goa Congress chief Luizinho Faleiro said.

In response to whether the action would affect employment in the state,  Faleiro said he did not think there were many Goans working at those casinos.

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