Seizures surpass Rs. 510 Cr in West Bengal during polls: ECI
*New Delhi, Apr 28 (TNT): The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday said that seizures of illicit inducements in West Bengal during the ongoing Assembly elections and bye-elections have crossed ₹510 crore, surpassing the figures recorded during the 2021 polls.
According to an official press note, the Commission had announced the election schedule for Assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, along with bye-elections, on March 15, 2026, and directed strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
The ECI said it held multiple review meetings with Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers, Directors General of Police and enforcement agencies of poll-bound states and neighbouring regions to ensure violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free elections.
To strengthen monitoring, over 2,728 Flying Squad Teams (FSTs) have been deployed to respond to complaints within 100 minutes, while more than 3,142 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) have been set up to conduct surprise checks. Special drives are also being carried out against the manufacture, storage and distribution of illicit liquor.
Data from the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS), covering the period from February 26 to April 27, 2026, showed that total seizures in West Bengal stood at ₹510.10 crore include ₹30 crore in cash, liquor worth ₹126.85 crore (over 48 lakh litres), drugs valued at ₹110.12 crore, precious metals worth ₹58.28 crore and other freebies amounting to ₹184.85 crore.
The Commission noted that the current seizure figures are significantly higher than the ₹339 crore recorded in West Bengal during the 2021 Assembly elections.
TNT TS
