The Election Commission (EC) has made significant strides in preventing voter inducement during the ongoing elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and several by-polls across 14 states. According to an official release, the total value of seizures—including cash, freebies, liquor, drugs, and precious metals—has reached a staggering Rs 558 crore.
The largest portion of this total comes from Maharashtra, where the EC has seized approximately Rs 280 crore worth of illicit materials since the elections were announced. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, seizures have amounted to Rs 158 crore.
These combined seizures in Maharashtra and Jharkhand reflect a significant rise in such activity compared to the 2019 Assembly elections, where Maharashtra saw seizures of Rs 103.61 crore and Jharkhand, Rs 18.76 crore.
In Maharashtra, the breakdown of the seizures includes cash valued at Rs 73.11 crore, liquor worth Rs 37.98 crore, and drugs valued at Rs 37.76 crore. In addition, precious metals worth Rs 90.53 crore were seized, alongside freebies valued at Rs 42.55 crore.
In Jharkhand, the seizures include Rs 10.46 crore in cash, Rs 7.15 crore in liquor, and Rs 8.99 crore in drugs. Furthermore, Rs 4.22 crore worth of precious metals and Rs 127.88 crore in freebies were confiscated.
The increased volume of these seizures—3.5 times higher than the last Assembly elections—signals a more aggressive approach by the Election Commission in ensuring a free and fair electoral process.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar has reiterated the EC’s "Zero Tolerance" stance toward any form of inducement in the elections. He has stressed the importance of coordinating efforts among various enforcement agencies to combat the movement and distribution of illicit substances, cash, and other illegal inducements.
During a recent meeting, CEC Rajiv Kumar instructed state and union territory officials—including Chief Secretaries (CS), Directors General of Police (DGP), Excise Commissioners, and other enforcement agencies—to maintain a close watch on inter-state borders. He emphasised that the agencies should establish backward linkages for the seized goods to help deter any future attempts at inducement.
Follow us
