**Executive Summary**
The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported the seizure of illicit inducements exceeding Rs. 1,400 crores during the 2026 General Elections to Legislative Assemblies and various bye-elections. This figure represents a 40.14% increase compared to the 2021 elections, facilitated by the implementation of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) and extensive field deployments. As of May 7, 2026, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been lifted across all involved States and Union Territories, except for the 144-Falta constituency in West Bengal.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Monitoring and Enforcement Measures**
* The ECI conducted multiple review meetings with Chief Secretaries, CEOs, DGPs, and senior officers from poll-going and bordering states.
* A massive enforcement workforce was deployed, including 376 Expenditure Observers, 7,470 Flying Squad Teams (FSTs), and 7,470 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs).
* These measures aimed to ensure elections were free from violence, intimidation, and inducements.
**Technology and Coordination**
* The Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) was activated on February 26, 2026, to streamline inter-agency communication.
* The IT platform enhanced coordination by allowing enforcement agencies to share actionable inputs in real-time.
**Seizure Data and Statistics**
* Total seizures across Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry amounted to approximately Rs. 1,444.96 crores.
* The seizures comprised:
* Cash: Rs. 154.89 crores
* Liquor: Rs. 183.33 crores (approx. 6.98 million litres)
* Drugs: Rs. 337.88 crores
* Precious Metals: Rs. 250.14 crores
* Freebies/Other items: Rs. 518.73 crores
* Tamil Nadu recorded the highest cash seizures (Rs. 105.22 crores), while West Bengal recorded the highest liquor value (Rs. 151.86 crores).
**Comparative Growth**
* Total seizures grew by 40.14% relative to the Rs. 1029.93 crores seized in 2021.
* West Bengal saw the highest percentage increase in seizures at 68.92%, followed by Tamil Nadu at 48.40%.
**Impact Analysis**
**Election Commission of India & Enforcement Agencies**
**Impact**
The use of the ESMS platform and coordinated efforts by Expenditure Observers and Flying Squads led to a record-breaking volume of seizures.
**Action Required**
Continue monitoring the 144-Falta constituency where the MCC remains active and finalize post-election reporting for all regions.
**State and UT Administrations**
**Impact**
With the exception of one constituency in West Bengal, the Model Code of Conduct has ceased to operate, allowing for the resumption of regular government business.
**Action Required**
Local authorities in the 144-Falta Assembly Constituency (West Bengal) must ensure continued strict compliance with the MCC until further notice.
**Political Candidates and Parties**
**Impact**
The heightened surveillance and technological tracking significantly restricted the distribution of illicit inducements like cash, liquor, and freebies.
**Action Required**
Adhere to the MCC in the specific constituency where it remains in effect and prepare for the conclusion of the election cycle.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India (ECI): The primary regulatory body responsible for administering the election process and ensuring compliance with polling guidelines.
Model Code of Conduct (MCC): The regulatory framework and set of guidelines issued to political parties and candidates to ensure free and fair elections.
Election Seizure Management System (ESMS): The specialized IT platform used for inter-agency coordination and real-time tracking of seized illicit inducements during the election period.
Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal: The specific states and Union Territory where the 2026 General Elections and related enforcement measures were applicable.
Election Commission
General Elections to Legislative Assemblies and
bye-elections 2026
Over Rs. 1400 crores worth of illicit inducements seized
Posted On: 07 MAY 2026 2:26PM by PIB Delhi
1. Election Commission of India (ECI) had taken several measures to ensure strict compliance with the
Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the General Elections to Legislative Assemblies of Assam,
Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and bye-elections in 7 ACs of 5 states. MCC
ceases to be in operation in these States/UTs except the Assembly Constituency of 144-Falta in West
Bengal.
2. During the conduct of elections, the Commission held multiple review meetings with the Chief
Secretaries, CEOs, DGPs, and senior officers from the poll-going States/UT and their bordering
States/UTs along with the Heads of Enforcement Agencies.
3. 376 Expenditure Observers drawn from IRS (IT), IRS (C&IT), IA&AS, IRAS, IDAS, IP&TAFS
and ICAS, 7,470 Flying Squad Teams (FSTs) and 7,470 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) were also
deployed to ensure violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free elections.
4. The seizures were facilitated by the IT platform - Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) -
which enhanced inter-agency coordination and streamlined communication between them for
sharing actionable input. Since the activation of ESMS on February 26, 2026, the total amount of
seizures up to May 6, 2026, is as below:
S.N State Cash Liquor Liquor Drugs Precious Freebies T
Qty Value Value Metal (R
(Rs. /Other
(Rs. (Rs. Value
(Litres) (Rs. C
Crores) Crores) Crores) (Rs.
Crores) Crores)
1 . Tamil 105. 22 137248. 53 4. 94 78. 61 165. 86 307. 65 66
Nadu
2. West 31 . 14 5858648. 98 151 . 130. 28 69. 36 190. 77 57
Bengal 86 41
3. Assam 6. 07 828248. 33 22. 71 70. 08 3. 68 14. 7 11
4. Kerala 12. 12 78215. 3 2. 51 58. 47 2. 25 5. 33 805. Puducherry 0. 33 18340. 35 0. 39 0 8. 99 0. 02 9.
TOTAL 154. 89 6988793. 38 183. 33 337. 88 250. 14 518. 73 14
96
5. The figures represent a 40.14% increase in seizures as compared to 2021 General Elections in these
States/UT when the seizures had amounted to Rs. 1029.93 crores. West Bengal saw the highest
increase in the seizures of 68.92% and Tamil Nadu saw an increase in seizures of 48.40% in 2026
compared to the corresponding over the corresponding figures during the LA elections of 2021.
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