Before the Lok Sabha elections even commenced, the Election Commission (EC) announced on April 15 that it has confiscated inducements worth ₹4,650 crore, including drugs, cash, and liquor. This total surpasses the ₹3,475 crore seized during the 2019 general elections. The EC highlighted that drugs constituted approximately 75% of the total seizures in January and February.

The Commission attributed this unprecedented haul to meticulous planning, enhanced cooperation across agencies, consistent deterrent actions, proactive involvement of citizens, and effective use of technology. Such efforts are part of the EC’s commitment to conducting free and fair elections devoid of any undue influence or electoral malpractices, aiming to maintain an equitable competition among candidates and parties.

The EC emphasized the critical nature of these seizures, stating that the use of unaccounted money and excessive political financing threatens to skew the electoral playing field in favor of wealthier candidates or parties. These measures are central to the EC’s mission to eliminate inducements and ensure integrity and fairness throughout the electoral process.