Election seizures cross ₹865 crore in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal
The Election Commission of India said on 17 April 2026 that seizures of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and freebies in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal since 26 February 2026 had crossed ₹865 crore.
Summary
The Election Commission of India (ECI) said on 17 April 2026 that seizures in poll-bound Tamil Nadu and West Bengal had crossed ₹865 crore since its Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) was activated on 26 February 2026. Tamil Nadu accounted for ₹438 crore and West Bengal for ₹427 crore. The total included ₹99 crore in cash, ₹84 crore of liquor, ₹174 crore of drugs, ₹159 crore of precious metals and ₹350 crore of freebies and other items. Over 5,011 Flying Squad Teams and 5,363 Static Surveillance Teams have been deployed across the two states. ECI had announced the schedule for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal on 15 March 2026.
Key facts
- Total seizures
- ₹865 crore (TN + WB), 26 Feb – 17 Apr 2026
- Tamil Nadu
- ₹438 crore
- West Bengal
- ₹427 crore
- Largest component
- Freebies/other ₹350 crore; drugs ₹174 crore
- System
- Election Seizure Management System (ESMS), activated 26 Feb 2026
- Teams
- 5,011+ FSTs; 5,363+ SSTs
Practice MCQs 2 questions
According to ECI data up to 17 April 2026, total election-related seizures in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal crossed:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — ₹865 crore
Seizures crossed ₹865 crore: ₹438 crore in Tamil Nadu and ₹427 crore in West Bengal.
Consider the following statements about the ECI seizure figures released on 17 April 2026: 1. Tamil Nadu recorded higher total seizures than West Bengal. 2. Cash formed the largest component of the total seizures. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct (₹438 crore vs ₹427 crore). Statement 2 is wrong: freebies/other items (₹350 crore) were the largest; cash was ₹99 crore.