Election seizures in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal cross ₹1,000 crore
Seizures in poll-bound Tamil Nadu and West Bengal reached ₹1,072.13 crore between the activation of the Election Seizure Management System on 26 February and 22 April 2026, with Tamil Nadu at ₹599.24 crore and West Bengal at ₹472.89 crore, the Election Commission said.
Summary
Seizures of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and freebies in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal totalled ₹1,072.13 crore from the activation of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) on 26 February 2026 to 22 April 2026, the Election Commission of India said on 22 April. Tamil Nadu accounted for ₹599.24 crore, including ₹100.19 crore in cash and ₹159.31 crore in precious metals, and West Bengal for ₹472.89 crore, including about 39.31 lakh litres of liquor worth ₹102.45 crore. ECI had announced the schedule for the Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal elections on 15 March 2026. Over 5,011 Flying Squad Teams, tasked with attending complaints within 100 minutes, and over 5,363 Static Surveillance Teams were deployed in the two states.
Key facts
- Total seizures
- ₹1,072.13 crore (26 Feb–22 Apr 2026)
- Tamil Nadu
- ₹599.24 crore (cash ₹100.19 cr; precious metals ₹159.31 cr)
- West Bengal
- ₹472.89 crore (liquor 39.31 lakh litres, ₹102.45 cr)
- ESMS activated
- 26 February 2026
- Schedule announced
- 15 March 2026
- Teams
- 5,011+ FSTs (100-minute response); 5,363+ SSTs
Practice MCQs 2 questions
According to ECI, total election seizures in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal up to 22 April 2026 stood at about:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹1,072 crore
ECI reported total seizures of ₹1,072.13 crore in the two states, with Tamil Nadu at ₹599.24 crore and West Bengal at ₹472.89 crore.
Consider the following statements about election enforcement in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (2026): 1. The Election Seizure Management System was activated on 26 February 2026. 2. West Bengal recorded higher total seizures than Tamil Nadu up to 22 April 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
ESMS was activated on 26 February 2026; Tamil Nadu (₹599.24 crore) recorded more than West Bengal (₹472.89 crore), so only statement 1 is correct.