NE POLITICAL BUREAU
NEW DELHI, APR 27
In a sweeping crackdown ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has reported record seizures exceeding ₹510 crore in West Bengal, marking a significant escalation in efforts to curb electoral malpractices.
General Elections and bye-elections 2026: Seizures surpass Rs 510 crores in WB
Read more : https://t.co/FOpgSdIfJL pic.twitter.com/rCn1aDhOKl
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) April 27, 2026
The massive haul—tracked through the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) from February 26 to April 27, 2026—includes cash, illicit liquor, narcotics, precious metals and inducement-linked freebies, signalling an aggressive enforcement push to ensure clean elections.
- Election Commission of India tightens grip to ensure free, fair & fearless polls
- Flying squads, surprise nakas & esms drive record haul of cash, liquor, drugs & freebies
- West Bengal tops seizure charts, surpasses 2021 election figures by wide margin
- Multi-State poll push gains momentum across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam & Puducherry
According to official data, West Bengal alone accounted for ₹510.10 crore in total seizures, breaking past its previous record of ₹339 crore during the 2021 Assembly elections, underlining the scale and intensity of the current enforcement drive.
The Commission had earlier announced the election schedule on March 15, 2026, for Legislative Assemblies in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, along with bye-elections, directing strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Reiterating its commitment, the Commission has consistently emphasised the need for:
“violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free elections.”
To enforce this mandate, a massive surveillance network has been activated across poll-bound regions. Over 2,728 Flying Squad Teams (FSTs) have been deployed to respond to complaints within 100 minutes, while 3,142 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) are conducting surprise checks and setting up strategic nakas.
Special drives targeting the manufacture, storage and distribution of illicit liquor are also underway, forming a critical pillar of the anti-inducement campaign.
The ECI has conducted multiple high-level review meetings with Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers, Directors General of Police and enforcement agencies across states and neighbouring regions, reinforcing coordination and accountability at every level.
With enforcement tightening and surveillance intensifying, the 2026 elections are shaping up to be one of the most closely monitored in recent history.
