₹510 Crore Seizures in Bengal: EC Tightens Grip Before Key Polling Phase

As West Bengal braces for the decisive second phase of assembly elections on April 29, the Election Commission's flying squads and security forces have notched up seizures totaling ₹510.10 crore. This haul of unaccounted cash, liquor, narcotics, valuables, and voter bribes underscores the ECI's zero-tolerance stance against electoral malpractices. By Monday, the figure had eclipsed ₹339 crore, outstripping the 2021 election seizures. Post the March 15 notification, recoveries include ₹30 crore cash, liquor valued at ₹126.85 crore, drugs worth ₹110.12 crore, precious metals at ₹58.28 crore, and miscellaneous freebies amounting to ₹184.85 crore. Bolstering oversight, more than 2,728 flying squads and 3,142 static teams are operational statewide, with rapid response protocols limiting complaint resolution to 100 minutes. Anti-liquor campaigns are in full swing, supported by the February 26-launched Electronic Seizure Management System for MCC compliance. Ahead of polling across 142 seats, the ECI is ramping up tech-driven monitoring. Sensitive booths will have approach roads under CCTV watch, expanding on phase one's indoor-outdoor camera deployment. Past reports of external intimidation prompted this upgrade, with camera counts scaled to risk levels. This multi-layered strategy aims to safeguard democracy in a politically charged atmosphere. The May 4 result announcement will reveal if these measures curbed undue influence in the race for Bengal's 294 assembly seats.