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With three phases of polling still left, the Election Commission on Saturday said it had seized nearly Rs.9,000 crore worth of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals and other freebies since March 1.
Out of the total seizures worth Rs 8,889 crore by agencies across the country, drugs accounted for 45% or Rs 3,958 crore. The agencies have also seized Rs.849.15 crore in cash, 5.39 crore litres of liquor worth Rs.814.85 crore, Rs.1,260.33 crore of precious metals and Rs.2,006.56 crore of freebies that would have been distributed among electors.
Gujarat had the highest amount of seizures among all states and Union Territories, with Rs.1,461.73 crore in total seizures. The amount reflects a recent operation by the Gujarat ATS, the Narcotics Control Bureau and the Indian Coast Guard that led to seizures of drugs worth Rs.892 crore in three days.
“The Commission has laid special emphasis on seizure of narcotics and psychotropic substances. Analysis of data found that states/UTs which used to be transit zones are increasingly becoming consumption territories,” the EC said.
As per the data released by the EC, Gujarat had the highest seizures of drugs (Rs.1,187.80 crore), followed by Punjab (Rs.665.67 crore), Delhi (Rs.358.42 crore) and Tamil Nadu (Rs.330.91 crore).
In another statement on Saturday, the EC said its cVigil app has received 4.24 lakh complaints about Model Code of Conduct violations across the country so far.
The app allows users to upload photos of illegal campaign materials, distribution of freebies and other MCC violations. These complaints do not include the complaints filed by political parties against each other, since they are lodged with the Commission or the respective state Chief Electoral Officer directly.
Most of the complaints so far (3.24 lakh) pertained to posters or banners displayed without permission. Starting with the announcement of elections on March 16 till May 15, the cVigil app has received a total of 4,24,317 complaints, the EC said.
The app also received 14,022 complaints about defacement of property; 7,022 complaints about distribution of cash, liquor and other freebies; 4,742 complaints about campaigning during the 48 hours before polling, when it is not allowed; 2,883 complaints about use of speaker/religious or communal speeches; and 2,430 complaints of display of firearms/intimidation.
| In a nutshell | |
| Total seizures in 2019 Lok Sabha elections | Rs. 3,475 crore |
| Total seizures in 2024 Lok Sabha elections | Rs.8,889.74 crore* |
| Drugs | Rs.3,958.85 crore |
| Freebies/other items | Rs.2,006.56 crore |
| Precious metal | Rs.1,260.33 crore |
| Cash | Rs.849.15 crore |
| Liquor | Rs.814.85 crore |
* From March 1, 2024 to May 18, 2024
