Cumulative seizures of potential inducements for the upcoming elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have exceeded ₹865 crore, with West Bengal responsible for 96% of the liquor seizures and Tamil Nadu reporting 88% of the illegal cash confiscations. Tamil Nadu will hold elections on April 23, while West Bengal will vote in two phases on April 23 and 29.
Since the Election Commission’s activation of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) on February 26, 2026, West Bengal has recorded seizures of approximately ₹427 crore, while Tamil Nadu accounts for ₹438 crore. Of the total ₹99 crore in cash seized, Tamil Nadu represents ₹78 crore, and West Bengal ₹21 crore. Notably, around 31.9 lakh liters of liquor valued at ₹81 crore were seized in West Bengal, compared to 97,107 liters worth ₹3 crore in Tamil Nadu.
The total value of seized freebies is nearly equivalent in both states, with ₹172 crore reported in West Bengal and ₹178 crore in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu leads in the seizure of precious metals, totaling ₹105 crore, compared to West Bengal’s ₹54 crore. Drug seizures in West Bengal amounted to ₹100 crore, while Tamil Nadu reported ₹74 crore.
In response to concerns regarding electoral integrity, the Election Commission has conducted multiple review meetings with chief secretaries, chief electoral officers, and directors general of police in both states, as well as in neighboring regions. The commission has emphasized the need for elections to be free of violence, intimidation, and inducements and has deployed over 5,011 flying squad teams and 5,363 static surveillance teams across West Bengal and Tamil Nadu to ensure compliance.
