New Delhi: In an unprecedented prelude to the initial phase of the Lok Sabha Elections commencing on April 19, enforcement authorities have orchestrated a landmark confiscation exceeding Rs. 4,650 crores as part of the election commission’s staunch opposition to monetary manipulation.
This figure marks a substantial surge from the Rs 3,475 crores seized during the entirety of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Notably, 45% of the seizures pertain to contraband and narcotics, which the Commission prioritizes.
Per the Election Commission’s data, Rajasthan leads the pack with Rs 778.52 crores seized, followed by Gujarat with Rs 605.35 crores, Tamil Nadu with Rs 460.84 crores, Maharashtra with Rs. 431.34 crores, Punjab with Rs 311.84 crores, Maharashtra again with Rs 281.43 crores, New Delhi with Rs 236.06 crores, and other regions.
Amongst the states dominating the narcotics seizures, Gujarat tops the list with Rs 485.99 crores, followed by Tamil Nadu with Rs 293.02 crores, Punjab with Rs 280.81 crores, New Delhi with Rs 189.94 crores, and additional states. The total confiscation in terms of narcotic value amounts to Rs 2,068.85 crores.
Regarding liquor confiscations, a total of Rs 489.31 crores were seized, with Karnataka leading with Rs 124.33 crores, followed by West Bengal with Rs 51.17 crores, Rajasthan with Rs 40.78 crores, and other areas.
Cash seizures amounted to Rs 395.93 crores, with Tamil Nadu at Rs 53.58 crores, Telangana at Rs 49.18 crores, Maharashtra at Rs 40.05 crores, and other locations.
Focusing on Jammu and Kashmir, the ECI released detailed seizure statistics: cash valued at Rs 124.67 lakhs, liquor worth Rs 63 lakhs, narcotics worth Rs 235.29 lakhs, precious metals valued at Rs 25.80 thousand, and freebies and other items valued at Rs 559.15 thousand, totaling Rs 428.817 lakhs.
On April 12, the Commission, led by CEC Rajiv Kumar and ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, scrutinized all Central Observers deployed in Phase-1 of elections set to take place on April 19.
The discussions focused on tightening surveillance and checks to ensure a bribery-free electoral process. The significant seizures underscore the Election Commission’s steadfast dedication to monitoring enticements and mitigating electoral malpractices, aiming for a ‘level playing field’ that particularly benefits smaller, less advantaged parties.
