Seized Rs 4650 crores so far; higher than total seizures in 2019 LS polls, says Election Commission

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) said that Enforcement agencies have seized over Rs 4650 crores from various inspections conducted across the country ahead of the polling of the Lok Sabha elections. According to the ECI, this is the highest-ever seizure of inducements recorded in the 75-year history of Lok Sabha elections.

This marks a sharp increase over Rs 3,475 crore seized during the entire Lok Sabha election in 2019. Significantly, 45 per cent of the seizures are of drugs and narcotics, which are under the special focus of the Commission.

The Election Commission also said that Rs 100 crore have been seized each day by the enforcement officials since the beginning of March.

In the country-wide operation, the EC said that the seizures were possible through comprehensive planning, scaled-up collaboration and unified deterrence action from agencies, proactive citizen participation and optimal engagement of technology.

The Commission said that the use of black money could have disturbed the level playing field.