Chennai: The Election Commission has said people can carry more than ₹50,000 in cash for medical expenses during the election period, provided they can show supporting proof through WhatsApp.
With elections under way, surveillance teams have been deployed in every constituency, including flying squads, video surveillance units and static monitoring teams. Each team includes five officials, including police and revenue personnel.
Officials said that if a vehicle is found carrying more than ₹50,000 in cash without proper documents or evidence, the amount is seized and deposited in the treasury. Large sums of cash and jewellery are being detected daily through these checks.
The clarification was issued at an event in Chennai on March 25, where Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Archana Patnaik released the “Tamil Nadu Election Handbook 2026”. She said showing medical-related documents on WhatsApp would be sufficient to get permission to carry the cash.
Patnaik added that requests have been received to raise the ₹50,000 limit, and the matter has been taken to the Election Commission. She also said flying squads have been instructed to conduct seizures in a way that does not inconvenience the public.
