Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Rs 8,889 crore seized amidst poll; drugs contribute majority

Election Commission of India. File Pic

Amid ongoing Lok Sabha Election, authorities have seized cash, drugs and inducements worth Rs 8,889 crore that aimed to influence voters' choice in the polls, the Election Commission said on Saturday.

As per the report by new agency PTI, 45 percent of the seizure was in the form of drugs making it the biggest chunk of the total seizures. Narcotics worth around Rs 3,959 crore were seized, it said.

Drugs, liquor, precious metals, freebies and cash influence elections in varying degrees, some flowing directly as inducements while others through reduced levels of circulation of money, the poll authority said.

The commission said it has laid special emphasis on the seizure of narcotics and psychotropic substances.

"Enhanced vigil against inducements, including drugs and psychotropic substances, has resulted in big seizure actions and a continuous surge. Drug seizures have been maximum. Regular follow-ups and reviews of districts and agencies in areas of expenditure monitoring, precise data interpretation and active participation of enforcement agencies have led to this significant spurt in seizures since March 1," the ECI said.

Analysis of data found that states and Union Territories that used to be transit zones are increasingly becoming consumption territories of drugs, it said.

The poll body stated that the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad, Narcotics Control Bureau and the Indian Coast Guard in joint operations have made three high-value seizures of drugs in just three days, amounting to Rs 892 crore.

Rs 849.15 core in cash, Rs 814.85 crore worth of liquor, drugs worth Rs 3,958.85 crore and precious metals worth Rs 1,260.33 crore have been seized, it added.

The Commission, led by CEC Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, held meetings with the DG, Narcotics Control Bureau, to take up analytics-based proactive action for ensuring action by dedicated Nodal Officers of NCB.

Similarly, active involvement of the DRI, Indian Coast Guard, state police and other agencies was ensured during the ongoing elections. All these measures have led to significant seizures in the two months since the announcement of the polls.

Real-time reporting of interceptions and seizures under the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS)- an in-house app, has resulted in quick, regular and precise reviews on expenditure monitoring

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)