The Election Commission authorities have claimed to have seized more than Rs 37 crore in cash meant for distribution among voters by various political parties in the state during the ongoing by-elections, but the actual money distributed among voters could be at least 10 times more than that.

This was revealed by former Election Commission advisor and observer of Election Watch K J Rao.

“The Election Commission authorities cannot seize more than 10 per cent of the money spent on the voters by various parties. Going by that yardstick, the parties might have distributed more than Rs 370 crore among voters by now,” he said.

Rao said the Andhra Pradesh was witnessing massive irregularities in the elections and the situation was much worse than Bihar and Jharkhand.

“The entry of land mafia, mining mafia and media into politics was responsible for this unfortunate situation. I suggest that those resorting to irregularities in the elections and destroying the democracy must be hanged till death,” he observed.