Election-inducing seizures exceed Rs 400 crore: European Commission

NEW DELHI: The cumulative seizure of illegal poll lures such as cash, liquor and drugs across poll-poll states/Union Territories has crossed the Rs 400-crore mark, the European Commission said on Thursday.“Since the activation of the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) between February 26 and March 25, 2026, illegal inducements worth nearly Rs 409 crore – including Rs 174 crore in cash, 1.63 million liters of liquor worth Rs 377 million, drugs worth Rs 167.4 crore, precious metals worth Rs 23 crore and other freebies worth over Rs 100 crore have been seized,” an EC spokesperson said.Sources said Tamil Nadu accounted for the largest share with seizures worth Rs 152 crore. The EC reviewed poll preparations with officials and law enforcement agencies on March 24. More than 5,173 flight teams have been deployed. A total of 70,944 C-Vigil complaints were received between March 15 and 25, of which 96% were resolved.