EC Reports Seizures Worth ₹865 Crore in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Ahead of Polls

The Election Commission of India has reported seizures exceeding ₹865 crore in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal ahead of upcoming Assembly elections and by-elections. According to the poll panel, since the activation of the Election Seizure Management System on February 26, West Bengal recorded seizures worth ₹427 crore, while Tamil Nadu reported seizures amounting to ₹438 crore.

The confiscated items include cash, liquor, narcotics, precious metals, and freebies, reflecting intensified efforts to curb inducements during the election period. To strengthen monitoring, more than 5,000 Flying Squad Teams and over 5,300 Static Surveillance Teams have been deployed across both states for rapid response and surprise inspections.

The Commission has directed authorities to ensure free, fair, and inducement-free elections while minimising inconvenience to the public. District Grievance Committees have also been established to address complaints related to enforcement measures.