New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) Tuesday informed that enforcement agencies have confiscated Rs. 375.61 crore, which is nearly 4.5 times the seizures made in Assembly Elections, 2018.

“Additionally, from the date of visit of Commission in the second week of March, 2023 till date of announcement of elections, seizures of Rs. 83.78 crores were also made by various enforcement agencies. Enforcement Directorate has also attached assets amounting to Rs. 288 Crores after the imposition of MCC,” stated the EC in an official statement.

During the visit to Karnataka in the 2nd week of March, the Commission has exhaustively reviewed the preparations which included extensive reviews and preparations of coordinated functioning of enforcement agencies, both Central and State.

While announcing the schedule for Karnataka Assembly Elections, 2023, Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar stressed on increased vigil and zero tolerance on distribution of inducements during the electoral process.

He remarked that the Commission has significantly raised the bar for ensuring inducement free elections and the continuum of stepping up of efforts and increase in seizures witnessed during recently held Assembly Elections in five States, would continue.

Seizures: Sarees and pressure cookers  

Notable hauls include seizure of Rs 4.04 Crores of cash in Bangarapet AC in Kolar District, raid of lab illegally manufacturing Alprozolam in Hyderabad by intelligence gathered and trail mapping done by NCB; 100 kg ganja seized in Bidar district; significant liquor seizures have been made by all the districts.

Another striking feature of expenditure monitoring has been huge seizures of freebies. Sarees and food kits have been seized from Kalburgi, Chimanglur and other districts. Huge number of pressure cookers and kitchen appliances were also seized from Bailhongal and Kunigal and other ACs.