Staff Reporter /
New Delhi
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has intensified its crackdown on illicit inducements in poll-bound states, with West Bengal emerging as a major focus area ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
The Commission had earlier, on March 15, 2026, announced the schedule for General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, along with by-elections. Following the announcement, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into immediate effect, with strict directives issued to all State and Union Territory administrations to ensure full compliance.
In preparation for the polls, the ECI conducted a series of high-level review meetings involving Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), Directors General of Police (DGPs), and senior officials from both poll-bound and neighbouring states. Enforcement agencies were also instructed to ensure elections remain violence-free, intimidation-free, and devoid of inducements.
| State | Cash (Rs.Crore) | Liquor Qty (Litres) | Liquor Value (Rs.Crore) | Drugs Value (Rs.Crore) | Precious Metal (Rs.Crore) | Freebies/Other (Rs.Crore) | Total (Rs.Crore) |
| West Bengal | 30.00 | 48,46,183 | 126.85 | 110.12 | 58.28 | 184.85 | 510.10 |
As part of its robust monitoring mechanism, the Commission has deployed more than 2,728 Flying Squad Teams (FSTs) across the states to address complaints within a 100-minute response window. Additionally, over 3,142 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) have been stationed at key locations to carry out surprise checks and enforce vigilance measures. Authorities have also launched targeted drives against the manufacture, storage, and distribution of illicit liquor.
Data from the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS), operational since February 26, 2026, indicates a significant surge in seizures in West Bengal. As of April 27, total seizures in the state have crossed ₹510 crore. This includes ₹30 crore in cash, liquor worth ₹126.85 crore (amounting to over 48 lakh litres), drugs valued at ₹110.12 crore, precious metals worth ₹58.28 crore, and other inducements, including freebies, estimated at ₹184.85 crore.
Notably, the current seizure figure surpasses the ₹339 crore recorded during the 2021 Assembly elections in the state, underscoring heightened enforcement and monitoring efforts by the Commission.
The ECI reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections, emphasizing zero tolerance towards any form of electoral malpractice.