(Image source from: Twitter.com/PIB_India)
According to a recent report by PTI, officials from the Election Commission of India (ECI) have confirmed the confiscation of a total of Rs 1,760 crore in five states. These states include Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. The seizures began after the announcement of the elections on October 9, 2023.
In a statement released on November 20, the ECI stated, "Since the announcement of the elections, seizures totaling over Rs 1,760 crore have been reported in the five states, which is more than seven times the amount seized during the previous Assembly Elections in 2018 (Rs 239.15 cr)."
Seizures over Rs. 1760 Crores reported in five poll-going states since announcement of Elections
— PIB India (@PIB_India) November 20, 2023
Seven fold increase in seizures in poll-going States compared to the 2018 State Assembly elections
Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) facilitating coordination amongst… pic.twitter.com/28H2LD0sSz
Out of the five states, Telangana had the highest cash seizure with a total of Rs 659.2 crore. The state's polls are scheduled for November 30. Rajasthan followed closely behind with a seizure of Rs 650.7 crore, while Madhya Pradesh reported a seizure of Rs 323.7 crore. Chhattisgarh had a seizure of Rs 76.9 crore, and Mizoram reported a seizure of Rs 49.6 crore, as stated by the ECI in their statement, as reported by PTI.
The ECI statement further highlighted that there has been a significant increase of 636 percent in the amount seized compared to the 2018 Assembly elections in these five states.
The items seized during the elections included cash, alcohol, drugs, valuable metals, and giveaways, among other things, with a total market value in crores. The Election Commission (EC) explained that they have implemented technology in their monitoring process this time, using the Election Expenditure Monitoring System (ESMS). This system has been effective in bringing various enforcement agencies from the central and state governments together, facilitating better coordination and intelligence sharing.
