The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued directions to enforcement agencies to prevent the use of money power in the upcoming Bihar elections, scheduled for October 6, 2025, including bye-elections in 8 ACs. Expenditure Observers have been deployed to monitor election expenses.
The directions are issued to the State Police Dept., State Excise Dept., Income Tax Dept., FIU-IND, RBI, SLBC, DRI, CGST, SGST, Customs, ED, NCB, RPF, CISF, SSB, BCAS, AAI, Department of Post, State Forest Dept. and State Co-operative Dept. Flying Squads, Surveillance Teams, and Video Surveillance Teams will be vigilant round-the-clock. The Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) has been activated for reporting interceptions/seizures.
Since the announcement of elections, a total seizure of Rs. 33.97 crore worth of cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies has been done by different Enforcement Agencies. The Commission has stressed that enforcement authorities should ensure ordinary citizens are not inconvenienced. Members of the public can complain through the C-Vigil App.
Release ID: 2179201. Posted on: 15 OCT 2025 10:07AM by PIB Delhi.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India: The primary entity issuing directions to prevent the use of money power in upcoming elections.
Bihar: The state where the upcoming elections are being held and where the policy will be implemented.
Enforcement Agencies: Agencies responsible for preventing the use of money power, including State Police Dept., State Excise Dept., Income Tax Dept. etc.
Election Seizure Management System (ESMS): Online system used for reporting interceptions/seizures during the election period.
C-Vigil App: App for public to complain regarding violations.
Election Commission
ECI issues directions to Enforcement Agencies to
prevent use of money power in upcoming Bihar
elections
Expenditure Observers deployed to observe election
expenses
Posted On: 15 OCT 2025 10:07AM by PIB Delhi
1. The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the General Election to Legislative
Assembly of Bihar and the bye-elections in 8 ACs on October 6, 2025.
2. In order to curb the use of money power, freebies as well as drugs, narcotics and liquor in the ensuing
elections, the Commission has issued directions to all the Enforcement Agencies including the State
Police Dept., State Excise Dept., Income Tax Dept., FIU-IND, RBI, SLBC, DRI, CGST, SGST,
Customs, ED, NCB, RPF, CISF,
SSB, BCAS, AAI, Department of Post, State Forest Dept. and State Co-operative Dept.
3. Expenditure Observers have already been deployed to monitor the election expenses incurred by the
Candidates and have reached their respective Constituencies on the day of the notification of elections.
During the visit they will meet all the teams engaged in expenditure monitoring.
4. Flying Squads, Surveillance Teams, Video Surveillance Teams will be vigilant round- the-clock to
monitor any suspected instances of money power or other inducements being used to sway the voters.
5. The Commission has also activated the online system called Election Seizure Management System
(ESMS) for reporting of interceptions/seizures made by the FSs, SSTs and enforcement agencies on a
real-time basis during the election period.
6. Since announcement of elections on October 6, 2025, a total seizure of Rs. 33.97 crore worth of cash,
liquor, drugs and freebies has been done by different Enforcement Agencies.
7. The Commission also stressed that the enforcement authorities should ensure that ordinary citizens are
not be inconvenienced or harassed during the checking and inspection for the enforcement of these
directives.
8. Any member of the public can also complain regarding any such violations through the C-Vigil App.
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PK/GDH/RP
(Release ID: 2179201)