The Election Commission of India’s flying squads and surveillance teams confiscated more than Rs 1,400 crore in illicit inducements during the recent elections in five states and a Union Territory. This marked a 40.14% increase in seizures compared to the 2021 state polls. West Bengal recorded the highest rise in seizures at 68.92%, while Tamil Nadu saw a 48.40% increase in 2026 compared to the 2021 Assembly elections.
The total seizure amount for the five states and the UT between February 26 and May 6 stood at Rs 1,444.96 crore, reflecting a 40.14% surge from the 2021 elections when seizures amounted to Rs 1,029.93 crore. In West Bengal, the flying squads seized cash worth Rs 31.14 crore, liquor valued at Rs 151.86 crore, drugs worth Rs 130.28 crore, precious metals worth Rs 69.36 crore, and other items worth Rs 190.77 crore, totaling Rs 573.41 crore in seizures.
Tamil Nadu witnessed total seizures amounting to Rs 662.28 crore, including cash worth Rs 105.22 crore, liquor valued at Rs 4.94 crore, drugs worth Rs 78.61 crore, precious metals valued at Rs 165.86 crore, and other items worth Rs 307.65 crore. In Kerala, inducement items worth Rs 80.67 crore were recovered, comprising cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and other freebies.
Assam saw a seizure of Rs 117.24 crore, with Rs 6.07 crore in cash, liquor worth Rs 22.71 crore, drugs valued at Rs 70.08 crore, precious metals worth Rs 3.68 crore, and other freebies worth Rs 14.7 crore. Puducherry’s total seizure amounted to Rs 9.72 crore, primarily in precious metals valued at Rs 8.99 crore. The Election Commission deployed Expenditure Observers, Flying Squad Teams, and Static Surveillance Teams to ensure fair elections.
The seizures were made possible through the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS), enhancing coordination among agencies and facilitating communication for sharing actionable input.
