Chennai, April 10 (IANS) The Election Commission Sunday warned of stringent action  against Tamil Nadu's political parties if cash or gifts are distributed among voters ahead of the April 13 assembly polls.

 
 In a statement issued here, Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Kumar said: “In some constituencies incidents of distribution of cash or gifts to lure voters have been detected. The Election Commission of India has viewed it with serious concern as not conducive to conduct of free and fair elections.”
 
 He said the commission is closely monitoring the situation and in case of repeat incidents it shall be constrained to take stern measure as may become necessary.
 
 Unaccounted cash and articles worth over Rs.30 crore has been seized by flying squads comprising electoral and  income tax department officials across the state.