With the seizure of unaccounted cash in Tamil Nadu touching the Rs 98 crore mark, the Election Commission (EC) today inducted 5,644 additional flying squads to monitor flow of illegal money ahead of the May 16 Assembly polls.

In Vellore alone, 311 cars were flagged off this morning by District Collector and Election Officer Rajendra Ratnoo to be used by flying squads and Central observers to check illegal cash distribution.

During a recent surveillance, Rs two crore was seized from the residence and other premises of DMK candidate K C Palanisamy by the income-tax department following a tip off at Aravakurichi in Karur district.

IT officials searched the residence and the lodge owned by Palanisamy and that of his son and seized the money.

However, Palanisamy said the amount was accounted cash and the Income-tax due were also paid.

A statement from Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said, so far, the total cash seizures add up to Rs 98 crore in the state.

According to Chennai district election officer Chandramohan, in Chennai alone Rs 12.71 crore has been seized.

As for the EVM preparations, 17 districts in the State, including Chennai, will be getting a Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).

In Chennai, Anna Nagar constituency is to get this facility during voting.