WB poll crackdown intensifies as seizures cross Rs 510 crore
The Statesman | 28 April 2026
The Election Commission of India on Monday said seizures of illicit inducements in poll-bound West Bengal have crossed Rs 510 crore, marking a sharp escalation in enforcement efforts ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections and already exceeding the total recoveries made during the 2021 polls in the state.
According to an official press note, the Commission stated that since the activation of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) on 26 February, enforcement agencies have seized cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and other inducements collectively valued at Rs 510.10 crore in West Bengal alone. The figure is significantly higher than the Rs 339 crore worth of seizures recorded during the 2021 Assembly elections, underscoring intensified monitoring and a more aggressive crackdown this election cycle.
Breaking down the data, authorities reported the seizure of Rs 30 crore in cash, over 48 lakh litres of liquor valued at Rs 126.85 crore, drugs worth Rs 110.12 crore, precious metals amounting to Rs 58.28 crore, and freebies and other inducements valued at Rs 184.85 crore. Officials said these measures are aimed at curbing the influence of money power and ensuring a level playing field for all candidates.
The Commission had announced the schedule for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, along with bye-elections, on March 15, 2026, triggering the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Since then, it has directed all state and Union Territory administrations to strictly adhere to the code to ensure free and fair elections.