Election seizures in West Bengal cross ₹510 crore, above 2021's ₹339 crore
The Election Commission of India said on 27 April 2026 that seizures of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and freebies in West Bengal since 26 February had reached ₹510.10 crore, higher than the ₹339 crore seized in the 2021 Assembly election.
Summary
Seizures of illicit inducements in poll-bound West Bengal reached ₹510.10 crore between the activation of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) on 26 February 2026 and 27 April 2026, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said. The total included cash of ₹30 crore, liquor worth ₹126.85 crore, drugs worth ₹110.12 crore, precious metals worth ₹58.28 crore and freebies/other items worth ₹184.85 crore, against ₹339 crore seized in the state during the 2021 Assembly election. More than 2,728 Flying Squad Teams and 3,142 Static Surveillance Teams have been deployed across the poll-going states, with complaints to be attended within 100 minutes.
Key facts
- WB seizures
- ₹510.10 crore (26 Feb – 27 Apr 2026)
- 2021 Assembly poll
- ₹339 crore
- Breakdown
- Cash ₹30 cr; liquor ₹126.85 cr; drugs ₹110.12 cr; precious metals ₹58.28 cr; freebies/other ₹184.85 cr
- System
- Election Seizure Management System (ESMS), activated 26 Feb 2026
- Teams
- 2,728+ Flying Squad Teams; 3,142+ Static Surveillance Teams
Practice MCQs 3 questions
As per ECI data up to 27 April 2026, total seizures of illicit inducements in West Bengal had crossed:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹510 crore
Seizures reached ₹510.10 crore, higher than ₹339 crore in the 2021 Assembly election.
Consider the following statements about election seizures in West Bengal reported by ECI on 27 April 2026: 1. Cash formed the largest component of the seizures. 2. Seizures are tracked through the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: cash was ₹30 crore, less than freebies/other (₹184.85 crore) and liquor (₹126.85 crore). Statement 2 is correct.
With which earlier election did ECI compare West Bengal's 2026 seizure total of over ₹510 crore?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 2021 Assembly election (₹339 crore)
ECI said the ₹510.10 crore seized was higher than the ₹339 crore seized in the state during the 2021 Assembly election.