Poll-Related Seizures Exceed Rs 1,000 Crore in Bengal and Tamil Nadu

The Election Commission announced Wednesday that poll-related seizures, encompassing cash, drugs, and liquor intended to entice voters, have topped Rs 1,000 crore in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Authorities reported Rs 473 crore worth of seizures from West Bengal and Rs 599 crore from Tamil Nadu.

Since the activation of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) on February 26, enforcement bodies have retrieved Rs 1,072.13 crore worth of illegal voter tactics. Tamil Nadu is set to hold elections on Thursday, coinciding with phase one in West Bengal, with the second voting phase scheduled for April 29.

Seized items comprise Rs 127.67 crore in cash, nearly 41,000 liters of liquor valued at Rs 106.3 crore, drugs nearly worth Rs 184 crore, and precious metals like gold and silver totaling Rs 215 crore. The EC further noted that freebies valued at Rs 418 crore were also confiscated. Tamil Nadu saw a greater cash seizure, whereas West Bengal accounted for significant liquor recovery. The higher-valued drugs and precious metals seized were primarily in Tamil Nadu.