Assam Assembly Elections: Authorities Seize Assets Worth ₹97 Crore Ahead of Polls
Significant Seizures Ahead of Assam Assembly Elections
Security personnel conduct checks on small vehicles ahead of polls. (Photo:PTI)
Guwahati, Apr 6: As the Assam Assembly elections approach, election enforcement has intensified, leading to the confiscation of materials valued at ₹97 crore, as reported by the Election Commission of India on Sunday.
The confiscated items include ₹4 crore in cash, ₹20 crore in alcoholic beverages, ₹56 crore in narcotics, ₹4 crore in precious metals, and ₹13 crore in various other goods.
Assam is a crucial state in the upcoming elections, where enforcement agencies have heightened their vigilance following the launch of the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) on February 26.
This initiative is part of a larger nationwide effort, with over ₹650 crore worth of cash, liquor, drugs, and other items seized across various election-bound states, including Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
To promote fair elections, the Commission has deployed flying squads and surveillance teams throughout the election regions, including Assam.
Nationwide, more than 5,173 flying squads are prepared to address complaints within 100 minutes, while over 5,200 Static Surveillance Teams are conducting inspections and establishing surprise checkpoints at key locations.
The Commission has also conducted several review meetings with senior officials, including Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers, and Directors General of Police, to enhance coordination and enforcement strategies in states preparing for elections.
In addition to these enforcement measures, election officials in Assam have achieved a significant logistical milestone by commissioning Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with candidate settings across all 126 Assembly constituencies.
This commissioning process took place from March 31 to April 4 at designated centers overseen by District Election Officers, ensuring readiness for the upcoming polls.
The Chief Electoral Officer's office confirmed that the process was conducted transparently, with the presence of contesting candidates and their authorized representatives to adhere to established guidelines.
Engineers and technical staff from Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL) assisted in configuring the machines to guarantee their accuracy and reliability.
A total of 41,320 Ballot Units (BUs), 43,975 Control Units (CUs), and 43,997 VVPAT machines have been prepared, including reserve units for deployment across 31,490 polling stations if necessary.
With both logistical preparations and regulatory oversight being reinforced, Assam is entering the final stages of its election preparations.