The Election Commission of India has seized illicit inducements worth over Rs 408 crore across four states and one Union Territory in the past month ahead of Assembly elections, intensifying a nationwide crackdown on money power in polls.
The Commission said the seizures followed the activation of the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) on February 26, prior to the formal announcement of Assembly and by-elections on March 15.
According to official data, Rs 408.82 crore worth of inducements has been confiscated, including Rs 17.44 crore in cash, liquor valued at Rs 37.68 crore (16.3 lakh litres), drugs worth Rs 167.38 crore, precious metals worth Rs 23 crore and other freebies exceeding Rs 163.30 crore.
The enforcement drive comes against the backdrop of a steady rise in poll-related seizures in recent years, reflecting tighter surveillance and coordinated action among agencies. During the 2019 Indian general election, authorities had seized inducements worth over Rs 3,400 crore, then a record. This was surpassed during the 2024 Indian general election, when seizures crossed Rs 10,000 crore, marking the highest-ever recovery linked to elections in the country.
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The EC has increasingly relied on technology-driven monitoring to curb violations. Between March 15 and 25, a total of 70,944 complaints were lodged through its cVIGIL mobile application, which enables citizens to report breaches of the Model Code of Conduct.
Of these, 70,831 complaints have been disposed of, with 67,899 — or 95.8 per cent — resolved within 100 minutes, indicating rapid response systems during the poll period.
The Commission noted that real-time reporting and swift enforcement have strengthened oversight, enabling authorities to act promptly on complaints ranging from distribution of cash and liquor to other inducements.
Assembly elections are scheduled next month in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala.
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