Seizures in 2026 Assembly elections cross ₹400 crore: ECI
The Election Commission said on 26 March 2026 that illicit inducements worth over ₹408.82 crore had been seized since 26 February in the five poll-bound states/UT and bye-election states.
Summary
The Election Commission of India said on 26 March 2026 that, since the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) was activated on 26 February, inducements worth over ₹408.82 crore had been seized up to 25 March in the general elections to Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and bye-elections in six states. These included ₹17.44 crore in cash and liquor worth ₹37.68 crore. More than 5,173 flying squads, tasked with attending to complaints within 100 minutes, and over 5,200 static surveillance teams have been deployed.
Key facts
- Seizures
- Over ₹408.82 crore (26 February â 25 March 2026)
- Cash / liquor
- ₹17.44 crore cash; liquor worth ₹37.68 crore
- System
- Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS), activated 26 February
- Flying squads
- 5,173+; complaints attended within 100 minutes
- Static surveillance teams
- 5,200+
- Elections
- Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal + bye-elections in 6 states
Practice MCQs 3 questions
In the 2026 Assembly elections, ECI flying squads are required to attend to complaints within:
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Correct answer: C â 100 minutes
Over 5,173 flying squads have been deployed to ensure complaints are attended to within 100 minutes.
The system used by the ECI to record seizures of illicit inducements in the 2026 elections is called:
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Correct answer: D â ESMS (Electronic Seizure Management System)
Seizures are tracked through the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS), activated on 26 February 2026.
Consider the following about seizures in the 2026 Assembly elections (as of 25 March 2026): 1. Total seizures crossed ₹400 crore. 2. Cash formed the largest part of the seizures. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A â 1 only
Seizures totalled over ₹408.82 crore, but cash was only ₹17.44 crore â less than the ₹37.68 crore of liquor alone â so statement 2 is wrong.