New Delhi, March 5 (IANS): The use of money in elections is a matter of concern, the Election Commission said Wednesday, adding that it will take steps to curb it in the April-May Lok Sabha polls.

“The use of money power is a matter of concern,” Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath told the media.

He said special emphasis was being given to “check the use and flow of money during the (coming) election process”.

He said the poll panel will deploy flying squads and video surveillance teams among other measures to stop the possible use of money by candidates aimed at influencing voters.

Indian voters: 176 mn in 1952, 814 mn in 2014

The number of Indian voters has shot up from 176 million in the first general election held in 1952 to some 814 million in 2014, Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath said Wednesday.

Sampath told the media that the increase in the number of voters since the last Lok Sabha polls of 2009 was about 100 million.

Model code of conduct comes into effect Wednesday

The Election Commission announced that the model of conduct has come into effect Wednesday with the announcement of the April-May Lok Sabha election schedule.

Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath later told the media that the code was vital to ensure a level playing field among various contenders for power.