Election seizures cross ₹650 crore in five poll-bound states and UT
The Election Commission said on 5 April 2026 that seizures of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and freebies in the five poll-bound states and UT had reached ₹651.51 crore since 26 February 2026.
Summary
Seizures in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, where Assembly elections were under way, totalled ₹651.51 crore between the activation of the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) on 26 February 2026 and 5 April 2026, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said. The total included ₹53.2 crore in cash, liquor worth ₹79.3 crore, drugs worth ₹230 crore, precious metals worth ₹58 crore and freebies and other items worth ₹231.01 crore. West Bengal accounted for the largest share at ₹319 crore, followed by Tamil Nadu (₹170 crore), Assam (₹97 crore), Kerala (₹58 crore) and Puducherry (₹7 crore). Over 5,173 flying squads have been deployed to attend to complaints within 100 minutes, along with over 5,200 static surveillance teams. Citizens can report Model Code of Conduct violations through the C-Vigil module on ECINET.
Key facts
- Total seizures
- ₹651.51 crore (26 Feb – 5 Apr 2026)
- Break-up
- Cash ₹53.2 cr; liquor ₹79.3 cr; drugs ₹230 cr; precious metals ₹58 cr; freebies/other ₹231.01 cr
- By state
- WB ₹319 cr; TN ₹170 cr; Assam ₹97 cr; Kerala ₹58 cr; Puducherry ₹7 cr
- Teams
- 5,173+ flying squads (complaints within 100 minutes); 5,200+ SSTs
- Tracking
- Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What was the total value of seizures in the five poll-bound states and UT from 26 February to 5 April 2026, as reported by the ECI?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹651.51 crore
The ECI table shows a total of ₹651.51 crore; ₹319 crore is West Bengal's share.
Within how much time are the ECI's flying squads expected to attend to complaints during the 2026 Assembly elections?
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Correct answer: B — 100 minutes
The ECI said over 5,173 flying squads were deployed to ensure complaints are attended to within 100 minutes.
Consider the following statements about election seizures reported by the ECI on 5 April 2026: 1. West Bengal accounted for the largest value of seizures among the five states and UT. 2. The Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) was activated on 26 February 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: West Bengal led with ₹319 crore, and the data runs from ESMS activation on 26 February 2026.