Massive Crackdown Ahead of 2026 Polls: Seizures Cross Rs. 400 Crore, ECI Tightens Vigil.
New Delhi:
In a sweeping enforcement drive ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections and bye-elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has reported seizures exceeding Rs. 400 crore, signaling an intensified crackdown on electoral malpractice across multiple states.
The poll body had earlier announced the election schedule on March 15 for Legislative Assemblies in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six other states. Following the announcement, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force, prompting strict monitoring and enforcement measures.
Extensive Surveillance and Rapid Response Mechanism
To ensure free and fair elections, the ECI has deployed over 5,173 flying squads tasked with responding to complaints within 100 minutes. Additionally, more than 5,200 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) have been stationed across sensitive locations, conducting surprise checks and setting up nakas (checkpoints).
The Commission also conducted a high-level review meeting on March 24 with Chief Secretaries, Directors General of Police, Chief Electoral Officers, and representatives from enforcement agencies of poll-bound states and 12 neighboring regions. The focus was on strengthening coordination to ensure elections remain violence-free, intimidation-free, and inducement-free.
Seizures Worth Rs. 408.82 Crore
Since the activation of the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) on February 26, enforcement agencies have seized illicit materials worth ₹408.82 crore up to March 25. The breakdown includes:
Rs. 17.44 crore in cash
Liquor worth Rs. 37.68 crore (over 16.3 lakh litres)
Drugs valued at Rs. 167.38 crore
Precious metals worth Rs. 23 crore
Other freebies exceeding Rs. 163.30 crore
These seizures reflect a coordinated effort among multiple enforcement agencies working under ECI directives.
Citizen Participation Through Technology
Public participation has been a key component of the monitoring process. Through the C-Vigil app, available on the ECINET platform, citizens and political parties can report violations of the MCC in real time.
Between March 15 and March 25, a total of 70,944 complaints were filed via the app. Of these, 70,831 complaints have been resolved, with an impressive 95.8% addressed within the mandated 100-minute timeframe.
Safeguards Against Public Inconvenience
While emphasizing strict enforcement, the ECI has also instructed authorities to ensure that ordinary citizens are not harassed during inspections. District Grievance Committees have been established to address complaints related to enforcement actions.
Additionally, a dedicated helpline (1950) has been set up, enabling citizens and political parties to directly lodge complaints with District Election Officers (DEOs) or Returning Officers (ROs).
Commitment to Free and Fair Elections
The Election Commission reiterated its commitment to conducting transparent and credible elections, stressing that all stakeholders must adhere strictly to the MCC. With enhanced surveillance, technology-driven monitoring, and citizen engagement, the Commission aims to curb electoral malpractices and uphold democratic integrity in the upcoming polls.
