ECI seizes Rs 4,600 cr at Rs 100 cr every day since March 1; Gujarat tops charts with Rs 605 cr
During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the entire seizure was Rs 3,475 crore. The most shocking aspect is that the first phase of polling hasn't even started which is scheduled on April 19.
HYDERABAD: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has said that authorities have seized a record Rs 4,650 crore after the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was enforced across the country for the Lok Sabha polls. This is the highest ever seizure for a Lok Sabha elections.
During the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the entire seizure was Rs 3,475 crore. The most shocking aspect is that the first phase of polling hasn't even started which is scheduled on April 19, 2024.
The ECI said that that enforcement authorities made seizures of over Rs 100 crore every day since March 1 ahead of the Lok Sabha elections which includes Rs 395.39 crore in cash, Rs 489.31 crore worth liquor, Rs 2,068.85 crore drugs, Rs 562.10 crore precious metal and Rs 1,142.49 crore of other materials.
In Telangana, the total seizure was Rs 121.84 crore in the last one month which included Rs 49.18 crore in cash, Rs 19.21 crore worth liquor, Rs 22.71 crore drugs, Rs 12.38 crore precious metal and Rs 18.36 crore of other materials.
Similarly in Andhra Pradesh, the total seizure was Rs 125.97 crore in the last one month which included Rs 32.15 crore in cash, Rs 19.71 crore worth liquor, Rs 4.06 crore drugs, Rs 57.14 crore precious metal and Rs 12.89 crore of other materials.
"With general elections 2024 underway, the Election Commission is on track for the highest-ever seizures of inducements recorded in the 75-year history of Lok Sabha elections in the country," the ECI said in a statement.
"Significantly, 45 per cent of the seizures are of drugs and narcotics, that are under the special focus of the commission," the ECI said.
The ECI shared that flying squads, statistics surveillance teams, video viewing teams and border checkposts were doing their work round-the-clock in making the seizures. It also said that efforts were being made to ensure that there was no movement and distribution of cash, liquor, freebies, drugs and narcotics.
Lok Sabha elections would be held in seven phases on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1. Results are expected to be announced on June 4.