The Election Commission of India (EC) announced today that even before the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections starts later this week, the enforcement authorities have already taken over ₹ 4,650 crore.

“The Election Commission is on track for the highest ever seizures of inducements recorded in the history of Lok Sabha elections,” a poll panel release said.

The poll panel said authorities are making seizures worth ₹ 100 crore every day since March 1 in run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.

“This marks a sharp increase over ₹ 3475 crores seized during the entire Lok Sabha elections in 2019,” it said.

Seizures of drugs and freebies have increased more than any other category since the 2019 general elections. The poll panel has found drugs worth ₹ 2,068.8 crore, compared to ₹ 1,279.9 crore found in 2019.

According to the release, the seizures are a part of the EC’s determination to stop electoral fraud and guarantee fair play before the Lok Sabha elections.

Seven phases will comprise the high-stakes Lok Sabha elections, with the first phase starting on April 19. June 4 is when the votes will be tallied.

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry are the states where voting will take place in the first phase.

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