Total seizures by EC near Rs 9,000 crore; nearly half comprise drugs

Written by Samaa Liyah Dhar,

The data released by the Election Commission for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections shows that the total value of seizures of cash, drugs, liquor, precious metals and freebies between March 1 and May 18 has hit Rs 8,889 crore. Nearly half of the seizures, about 45%, comprise drugs.

In all categories, the seizures have more than doubled from the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when a total of Rs 3,476 crore in poll contraband was seized. In terms of value, while cash seizures have seen a 0.61% increase, liquor seizures have gone up by 167.51%, drugs by 209.31%, precious metals by 27.68% and freebies by 3,235.93%.

A look at the top five states in terms of seizures of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and “freebies” and other items, and the comparative figures for the states five years ago:

Samaa Liyah Dhar is an intern with The Indian Express