Over ₹1,000 Crore Seized in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Ahead of Elections

In a significant development ahead of the elections, the Election Commission of India has reported that over ₹1,000 crore worth of cash, alcohol, drugs, and other items have been seized in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. This includes substantial amounts of cash and illegal substances, highlighting the commission's efforts to ensure a fair electoral process. With enhanced monitoring measures in place, including flying squad teams and static surveillance, the commission aims to uphold the integrity of the upcoming elections. Read on to learn more about the details of these seizures and the measures being implemented.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 22, 2026, 18:10 IST

Significant Seizures Reported by Election Commission

The Election Commission of India has announced that the total value of cash, alcohol, drugs, and other items confiscated in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal has surpassed ₹1,000 crore. As of April 22, following the activation of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) on February 26, the total seizures amounted to ₹1,072.13 crore.

In West Bengal, the seized items were valued at ₹472.89 crore, while Tamil Nadu accounted for ₹599.24 crore in confiscations.

Details of Confiscated Items

The seized items include ₹127.67 crore in cash, over 40 lakh liters of alcohol valued at ₹106.3 crore, drugs worth ₹184.83 crore, precious metals totaling ₹215.19 crore, and free gifts and other items valued at ₹437.97 crore. On March 15, the Election Commission announced the schedule for assembly elections and by-elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, emphasizing strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct.

Enhanced Monitoring Measures

To ensure free and fair elections, the Election Commission has conducted multiple review meetings with chief secretaries, chief electoral officers, directors general of police, and enforcement agencies from the election-bound states and neighboring areas. More than 5,011 flying squad teams have been deployed, with 2,728 in West Bengal and 2,283 in Tamil Nadu, ready to respond to complaints within 100 minutes.

Additionally, over 5,363 static surveillance teams have been formed for surprise inspections, with 3,142 in West Bengal and 2,221 in Tamil Nadu. Citizens and political parties can report violations of the code of conduct through the C-Vigil module on the ECI-NET platform.