Poll Seizures Cross ₹400 Cr, ECI Tightens Vigil
Over 70,000 complaints logged; crackdown on cash, liquor and drugs ahead of elections
- Seizures exceed ₹408 crore across poll-bound states
- Drugs, cash, liquor and freebies seized in large quantities
- 70,000+ complaints filed via C-Vigil app
- Flying squads, surveillance teams deployed nationwide
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 26th March: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday said seizures of illegal inducements in poll-bound states have crossed ₹400 crore, as authorities intensified enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) ahead of Assembly elections and bye-polls.
According to official data, a total of ₹408.82 crore worth of illicit items has been seized between February 26 and March 25. This includes ₹17.44 crore in cash, liquor worth ₹37.68 crore (over 16.3 lakh litres), drugs valued at ₹167.38 crore, precious metals worth ₹23 crore and freebies exceeding ₹163.30 crore.
The Commission has deployed more than 5,173 flying squads and over 5,200 Static Surveillance Teams to monitor violations and conduct surprise checks across states.
To strengthen transparency and rapid response, the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) and the C-Vigil app are being actively used. Between March 15 and March 25, a total of 70,944 complaints were registered through the app, of which 95.8% were resolved within 100 minutes.
The ECI has directed enforcement agencies to ensure strict action against inducements while also ensuring that ordinary citizens are not inconvenienced during inspections.
District-level grievance committees and a dedicated helpline (1950) have also been activated to address complaints from citizens and political parties.
The heightened enforcement comes as India prepares for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in multiple states.
