Jubilee Hills bypoll: Model Code of Conduct comes into force; sets Rs 50,000 cash limit

Model Code of Conduct for the Jubilee Hills by-election is now in force across Hyderabad and parts of Cyberabad. Cash over Rs 50,000 without proper documents can be seized, and authorities will also monitor precious metals, while Flying Squads and SST teams to be deployed to enforce election rules

Hyderabad: The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency by-election came into effect immediately on Monday in and around the city, following the announcement of the by-election dates.

The MCC will now be in force across Hyderabad and parts of Cyberabad, as areas like Shaikpet, Sanathnagar, Allapur and Madhapur fall under the Jubilee Hills constituency’s limits, despite being under the jurisdiction of Cyberabad Commissionerate.

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The enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct in these areas is in addition to the MCC already active in parts of Rachakonda and Cyberabad suburbs due to the previously announced schedule for the rural local body polls by the State Election Commission.

As part of the MCC restrictions, authorities will seize cash exceeding Rs 50,000 if individuals cannot provide valid documentation proving its legitimacy. The limit to carry cash without documentation is Rs 50,000. Anyone caught with more than this amount without valid proof is liable to have the money seized by authorities, including Static Surveillance Teams (SST) deployed by the Election Commission.

Seized cash under Rs 10 lakh is usually deposited with revenue authorities, while the Income Tax (IT) Department is informed for seizures over Rs 10 lakh.

One can legally carry more than Rs 50,000 cash if they possess sufficient documents to prove the cash is for a legitimate, non-election-related purpose, such as medical emergencies, bank withdrawals, business transactions, education fees, and property dealings.

The election authorities will deploy Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Teams across the constituency while the local police will also conduct vehicle checking in neighbouring areas of routes leading to the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency. There are also restrictions on carrying large quantities of gold, silver and other precious metals without proper documents.