Guwahati, Mar 17: The Income Tax Department has launched a round-the-clock control room in Guwahati to monitor and curb the use of black money during the upcoming 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly elections.

The control room, operated by the Directorate of Income Tax (Investigation), North Eastern Region, is located at Aayakar Bhawan in Christian Basti on GS Road. The initiative aims to support the Election Commission of India (ECI) in ensuring free and fair polling scheduled for April 9.

Authorities will closely track unaccounted cash, bullion, precious metals, and other valuables during the Model Code of Conduct period, amid concerns over electoral misuse. Citizens can report suspicious activities through dedicated mobile numbers, WhatsApp, landline, or email. The department has assured confidentiality for credible and actionable tips.

The control room will remain operational until the conclusion of the elections. This initiative forms part of broader measures to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, following the ECI’s announcement of assembly polls across Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. In Assam and Kerala, voting will take place on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The elections will cover 824 assembly seats and involve 17.4 crore voters.