EC CRACKS DOWN ON ELECTORAL INDUCEMENTS

EC CRACKS DOWN ON ELECTORAL INDUCEMENTS

8-MAY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI--------------------------To ensure fair and inducement-free voting during the 2026 Assembly General Elections and by-elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has executed its largest-ever enforcement action. According to data released by the Commission, a record seizure worth ₹1,444.96 crore has been effected across Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

The Election Commission reported that, compared to the previous general elections held in 2021, a 40.14 percent increase in the volume of seizures has been observed this time around. In 2021, this figure stood at ₹1,029.93 crore. This surge reflects the Commission's stringent vigilance and the effective utilization of technological platforms.

Tamil Nadu topped the list in terms of seizures, with materials totaling ₹662.28 crore being intercepted. Meanwhile, West Bengal recorded the highest percentage increase—at 68.92%—where cash, liquor, and other materials worth ₹573.41 crore were seized.

State-wise breakdown of total seizures (in ₹ crore):

•           Tamil Nadu: ₹662.28

•           West Bengal: ₹573.41

•           Assam: ₹117.24

•           Kerala: ₹80.67

•           Puducherry: ₹9.72

According to the data, approximately 70 lakh liters of liquor—valued at ₹183.33 crore—were seized throughout the entire election campaign period. Additionally, narcotics (drugs) worth ₹337.88 crore and precious metals valued at ₹250.14 crore were also intercepted.

An IT platform named the ‘Election Seizure Management System’ (ESMS) played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of this massive enforcement drive. Through this mechanism, real-time information was shared among various enforcement agencies. To ensure the smooth conduct of the election process:

•           376 Expenditure Observers were deployed.

•           7,470 Flying Squad Teams (FST) and an equal number of Static Surveillance Teams (SST) remained active round the clock.

The Commission clarified that, with the exception of the Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has now been lifted from all other electoral constituencies. This measure is regarded as a significant step towards curbing the influence of money and muscle power in a democracy.