Maharashtra, Jharkhand Break 2019 Record; EC Seizes Rs 1,000 Crore in Poll Raids

The Election Commission has reported that enforcement agencies have seized over Rs 1,000 crore worth of cash, liquor, and other inducements during the ongoing elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and across 14 states where bypolls are being held. Of this amount, Rs 858 crore has been confiscated from Maharashtra and Jharkhand, marking a sevenfold increase compared to the 2019 assembly elections. In 2019, Maharashtra recorded seizures worth Rs 103.61 crore, while Jharkhand’s total was Rs 18.76 crore.

The second round of voting in Jharkhand is scheduled for November 20, coinciding with Maharashtra’s polling date. Votes for both states will be counted on November 23.

In Maharashtra, significant seizures have been made across all districts, surpassing figures from previous assembly elections. Notable operations include the confiscation of Rs 3.70 crore in cash from a suspicious Jeep in the Wada police station area of Palghar District. Additionally, in the Jamod Assembly Constituency of Buldhana district, authorities seized 4,500 kg of ganja plants valued at Rs 4.51 crore. In Raigad, silver bars worth Rs 5.20 crore were confiscated.

The Election Commission’s intensified focus on curbing the influence of money in elections has led to this substantial increase in seizures. Chief Election Officer Rajiv Kumar has instructed all officials and observers to maintain strict vigilance over the next two days and to prevent the distribution of any inducements until polling concludes.

Jharkhand has also witnessed record seizures, with a particular emphasis on curbing illicit mining activities. In Rajmahal Assembly Constituency of Sahibganj district, illegal mining materials worth ₹2.26 crore were seized, along with the machinery involved. In Daltonganj, authorities confiscated 687 kg of poppy straw, while in Hazaribagh, 48.18 kg of marijuana was seized.

In Rajasthan, enforcement agencies intercepted 449 cartons of liquor concealed behind layers of potato boxes in Nagaur, during transit from one neighboring state to another.

The surge in seizures is attributed to an extensive monitoring process initiated months before the election announcements. This process includes sensitizing and reviewing enforcement agencies for coordinated monitoring, identifying expenditure-sensitive constituencies, ensuring adequate field teams, providing training on expenditure monitoring systems, and appointing experienced officers as Expenditure Observers.

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The Election Commission has also invested in information technology to enhance monitoring efforts. The in-house Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) facilitates real-time monitoring and information sharing among multiple agencies, serving as a broader deterrent against electoral malpractices.