ECI makes highest-ever seizure ahead of Lok Sabha elections
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reported a record seizure of Rs. 4,650 crore in the run-up to the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This figure marks a significant increase from the ₹ 3,475 crore confiscated during the entire 2019 Lok Sabha election. The ECI, in a statement, emphasized that these seizures are crucial to its mission to conduct elections free from inducements and electoral malpractices.
Why does this story matter?
All the seized money and assets could have been used to sway voters in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar emphasized "Money Power" as one of the '4M' challenges to conducting fair elections in India. Others include "muscle, misinformation, and Model Code of Conduct violations." Notably, this is the highest-ever seizure made by the poll body.
Breakdown of seized assets
Enforcement agencies have confiscated cash, liquor, precious metals and other freebies worth over ₹4,650 crore. The total seizures included ₹395.39 crore in cash, liquor valued at ₹489.31 crore, drugs worth ₹2,068.85 crore, precious metals estimated at ₹562.10 crore. According to the ECI's report, confiscation also included freebies amounting to ₹1,142.49 crore.
Drugs and narcotics make up half of seized assets
Furthermore, the poll body revealed that nearly half of the seized assets were drugs and narcotics, which are currently under special scrutiny. The commission also released data on different states, detailing the distribution of seized inducements. Rajasthan led the list with a seizure of ₹778 crore, followed by Gujarat with ₹605 crore, and Maharashtra with about ₹431 crore. The commission attributed these seizures to meticulous planning, increased collaboration, unified action, citizen involvement, and effective use of technology.
Seizures facilitated by New election seizure management system
The ECI explained that the surge in seizures was facilitated by the new Election Seizure Management System—an internal portal developed by the ECI. This system was initially used in the 2023 state assembly elections, resulting in ₹2,014.26 crore being seized. The commission has underscored the need to counteract the influence of money in elections to ensure fairness and transparency.
