Thiruvananthapuram: Electoral authorities have seized cash to a tune of Rs 17.28 crores so far in raids conducted to unearth flow of unaccounted money in the run up to May 16 polls in Kerala.
This was the highest seizure of cash during assembly poll period in the state, Chief Electoral Officer E K Majhi said in a release here today.
Besides Indian currency, 78500 Saudi Riyal and 665 US Dollars were also seized in the raids.
The raids were conducted jointly by officials drawn from Revenue, Excise, Income Tax, Police and Sales Tax Departments.
They also seized 11.19 kg of gold and 700 kg of explosive materials, it said.
Steps would be taken to strengthen monitoring at the check-posts in the coming days, it said.
Ahead of the May 16 elections, a strict vigil is being maintained by the Election Commission against transportation of unaccounted money, gold and illegal money transactions.
