New Delhi
Election Commission teams confiscated massive quantities of cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies across poll-bound states. The Election Commission of India has seized more than Rs 1,400 crore worth of illicit inducements during the recently concluded Assembly elections in five states and Union Territories, marking a sharp rise compared to the 2021 state polls.
According to an official statement released on Thursday, flying squads and surveillance teams appointed by the poll body confiscated inducements worth Rs 1,444.96 crore between February 26 and May 6. The amount represents a 40.14 per cent increase over the Rs 1,029.93 crore seized during the Assembly elections held in the same regions in 2021.
Among all states, West Bengal registered the highest increase in seizures, recording a rise of 68.92 per cent compared to the previous election cycle. Tamil Nadu followed closely with a 48.40 per cent increase in confiscated materials.
In West Bengal alone, enforcement teams seized cash worth Rs 31.14 crore, liquor valued at Rs 151.86 crore, drugs worth Rs 130.28 crore, precious metals valued at Rs 69.36 crore, and other freebies worth Rs 190.77 crore. The total seizure figure in the state reached Rs 573.41 crore, making it one of the largest enforcement drives during the elections.
Tamil Nadu reported the highest overall seizure value among the states, with confiscations amounting to Rs 662.28 crore. The seizures included Rs 105.22 crore in cash, liquor worth Rs 4.94 crore, drugs valued at Rs 78.61 crore, precious metals worth Rs 165.86 crore, and various freebies worth Rs 307.65 crore.
Meanwhile, in Kerala, Election Commission flying squads recovered inducement materials worth Rs 80.67 crore. These included cash amounting to Rs 12.12 crore, liquor worth Rs 2.51 crore, drugs valued at Rs 58.47 crore, precious metals worth Rs 2.25 crore, and other freebies worth Rs 5.33 crore.
The Election Commission has significantly strengthened surveillance mechanisms during elections in recent years to curb the use of money power and illegal inducements aimed at influencing voters. Officials said coordinated efforts involving flying squads, static surveillance teams, police personnel, and intelligence units were carried out to monitor suspicious movement of cash, liquor, narcotics, and valuables during the election period.
The large-scale seizures underline the increasing challenge faced by authorities in ensuring free and fair elections across the country.
