Rs.1,000 crore seized ahead of elections, 7 times more than 2019

• Rs.1,000 crore seized, sevenfold increase compared to 2019 elections
• Maharashtra and Jharkhand account for ₹858 crore of total seizures
• Focus includes cash, drugs, liquor, and illegal mining materials

In an unprecedented crackdown, enforcement agencies have seized over ₹1,000 crore worth of cash, liquor, drugs, and other inducements ahead of the assembly elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and bypolls in 14 states, the Election Commission revealed on Monday. This figure is a staggering sevenfold increase compared to the 2019 assembly elections, where total seizures in Maharashtra and Jharkhand stood at ₹103.61 crore and ₹18.76 crore, respectively.

Maharashtra and Jharkhand accounted for ₹858 crore of the total seizures, highlighting the poll body’s intensified efforts to curb money power in elections. In Maharashtra, significant seizures included ₹3.70 crore in cash from a suspicious vehicle in Palghar district and ₹5.20 crore worth of silver bars in Raigad. Additionally, authorities confiscated 4,500 kg of ganja plants valued at ₹4.51 crore in Buldhana district’s Jamod constituency.

In Jharkhand, the focus extended to cracking down on illicit mining activities. A single operation in Sahibganj district’s Rajmahal constituency uncovered ₹2.26 crore worth of illegal mining materials. In other incidents, authorities seized 687 kg of poppy straw in Daltonganj and 48.18 kg of marijuana in Hazaribagh.

Rajasthan also saw notable seizures, including 449 cartons of liquor disguised behind potato boxes in Nagaur. This operation was part of the broader effort to monitor inter-state smuggling during the elections.

The Chief Election Officer, Rajiv Kumar, has directed officials to maintain vigilance and prevent any distribution of inducements until polling concludes. The second round of voting in Maharashtra and Jharkhand is scheduled for November 20, with counting set for November 23.

The Election Commission credited the surge in seizures to improved monitoring mechanisms initiated months before the election announcements. These measures included the identification of expenditure-sensitive constituencies, comprehensive training of field teams, and the deployment of experienced Expenditure Observers.

This record-breaking haul underscores the Election Commission’s commitment to ensuring free and fair elections while curbing illicit practices that could influence voters.

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