New Delhi: The Election Commission of India said election seizures crossed ₹865 crore in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal during the ongoing Assembly polls and bye-elections.
The Commission announced the poll schedule on March 15, 2026. It directed all states and Union Territories to enforce the Model Code of Conduct strictly. Officials also held multiple review meetings with Chief Secretaries, CEOs, and DGPs. They asked agencies to ensure violence-free and inducement-free elections.
To strengthen enforcement, authorities deployed 5,011 Flying Squad Teams across both states. These teams included 2,728 units in West Bengal and 2,283 in Tamil Nadu. They aimed to respond to complaints within 100 minutes. In addition, officials deployed 5,363 Static Surveillance Teams to conduct surprise checks.
Election seizures data highlights enforcement push
Data from the Election Seizure Management System showed significant recoveries since February 26, 2026. In West Bengal, officials seized assets worth ₹427 crore. This included cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and freebies.
Similarly, Tamil Nadu recorded seizures worth ₹438 crore. Authorities confiscated high-value items, including drugs and precious metals. Together, both states accounted for total election seizures of ₹865 crore.
The Commission also instructed enforcement teams to avoid harassing ordinary citizens during checks. It set up District Grievance Committees to handle complaints. Further, citizens and political parties can report violations using the C-Vigil app.
