In an extraordinary display of vigilance and determination, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has shattered all previous records by seizing over Rs. 4,650 crores in cash, liquor, drugs, and other inducements even before the first phase of polling for the 18th Lok Sabha elections commenced on Friday.
This staggering figure, which surpasses the total seizures made during the entire 2019 general elections, underscores the ECI’s resolute fight against the corrosive influence of money power in the world’s largest democracy.
“With General Elections 2024 underway, the ECI is on track for the highest ever seizures of inducements recorded in the 75-year history of Lok Sabha elections in the country,” said Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, leading a formidable inter-agency crackdown on electoral malpractices.
The seizures, which have seen a sharp 45% spike in drugs and narcotics, have been made possible through comprehensive planning, scaled-up collaboration among enforcement agencies, proactive citizen participation, and optimal engagement of technology. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the ECI has deployed its in-house developed Election Seizure Management System (ESMS), a game-changing portal that facilitates real-time reporting of interceptions and seizures, avoiding duplication and enabling swift reviews at all levels.
Meticulous planning, involvement of the largest-ever cohort of enforcement agencies from the Centre and States, and the identification of 123 expenditure-sensitive constituencies have further bolstered the ECI’s efforts to curb the misuse of financial resources during the elections. Notably, the ECI’s crackdown has extended beyond cash and liquor, with a substantial focus on the drug menace in society.
“Besides the risk of dirty money being used to influence elections, drugs pose a serious social menace with the potential to harm communities, particularly youth,” Kumar emphasized. The Commission has also deployed 656 Expenditure Observers across Parliamentary Constituencies and 125 in Assembly Constituencies to serve as its eyes and ears, ensuring a level playing field for all parties and candidates.
While the seizures reflect the ECI’s unwavering commitment to monitor inducements and curb electoral malpractices, the Commission has also taken steps to prevent harassment of citizens. It has issued advisories to Chief Electoral Officers and District Electoral Officers to ensure a courteous approach when inspecting tourists and citizens, and has directed the constituted District Grievance Committees to hold daily hearings for swift resolution of grievances related to seizures.
As the high-stakes electoral battle intensifies in the coming days, the ECI stands poised to enhance its vigilance further, leaving no stone unturned in its pursuit of an inducement-free electoral process that upholds the integrity of Indian democracy.
