Election Commission Reports Seizure of Over ₹408 Crore in Illicit Inducements Ahead of Assembly Elections

The Election Commission has reported the seizure of illicit inducements exceeding ₹408 crore in the run-up to the Assembly elections across multiple states. This includes cash, liquor, drugs, and other items aimed at influencing voters. A meeting was held to ensure a coordinated effort among enforcement agencies to maintain a violence-free electoral environment. The C-Vigil app has facilitated the reporting of numerous complaints, with a high resolution rate. Elections are set to take place in April, with results announced in early May.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 27, 2026, 10:16 IST

Significant Seizures Before Upcoming Elections

On Thursday, the Election Commission announced that illicit inducements valued at over ₹408.8 crore have been confiscated in the lead-up to the Assembly elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry.

The confiscated items included ₹17.4 crore in cash, liquor worth ₹37.6 crore, drugs valued at ₹167.3 crore, precious metals totaling ₹23 crore, and various other freebies exceeding ₹163.3 crore, according to the poll panel.

Additionally, the Election Commission convened a meeting on March 24 with enforcement agency leaders, chief secretaries, chief electoral officers, police directors general, and other officials from the five states and Union Territories involved in the elections, as well as their 12 neighboring states and Union Territories, to assess preparedness and improve coordination.

Officials were instructed to guarantee elections that are free from violence, intimidation, and inducements, as stated in a press release from the Election Commission.

Between March 15 and March 25, a total of 70,944 complaints were filed using the C-Vigil app in the states and Union Territories preparing for elections. Out of these, 70,831 complaints were addressed, with 67,899, or 95.8%, resolved within 100 minutes.

This app enables users to submit geo-tagged videos and images documenting any observed violations during the electoral process.

The Assembly elections are scheduled for April 9 in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, while Tamil Nadu will vote on April 23. West Bengal will conduct its voting in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results for all states set to be announced on May 4.