Record Seizures of Illicit Inducements During 2026 Indian Elections
Over Rs 1,400 Crore Worth Of Illicit Inducements Seized During 2026 Polls; Highest In Bengal: ECI
News 18
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The Election Commission of India reported over ₹1,400 crore (approximately $168 million USD) in illicit inducements seized during the 2026 General Elections across five states, with West Bengal seeing the highest increase at 68.92%. This marks a 40.14% rise compared to the 2021 elections, reflecting intensified monitoring efforts.
- 01Over ₹1,400 crore worth of illicit inducements seized during the 2026 elections.
- 02West Bengal had the highest increase in seizures at 68.92%.
- 03Total seizures represented a 40.14% increase from the 2021 elections.
- 04The Election Commission deployed 376 Expenditure Observers and 7,470 Flying Squad Teams.
- 05Intensified monitoring aimed to ensure free and fair elections.
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The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that more than ₹1,400 crore (approximately $168 million USD) worth of illicit inducements were seized during the 2026 General Elections, which included Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. This figure represents a 40.14% increase from the ₹1,029.93 crore seized in the 2021 elections. Notably, West Bengal recorded the highest increase in seizures at 68.92%, followed by Tamil Nadu at 48.40%. The ECI attributed these large-scale seizures to enhanced monitoring and enforcement measures aimed at ensuring free and fair elections. To facilitate this, the ECI deployed 376 Expenditure Observers and 7,470 Flying Squad Teams across the states to prevent voter inducement and intimidation. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is currently in effect in all poll-bound states and Union Territories, except for the 144-Falta Assembly constituency in West Bengal.
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The significant increase in seized inducements suggests a more vigilant election environment, potentially leading to fairer electoral processes.
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