Bihar's Rs 64-Crore Seizure: Cracking Down on Election Malpractices

Enforcement agencies have seized liquor, cash, drugs, and freebies worth Rs 64.13 crore in Bihar since the assembly election schedule was announced on October 6. The Election Commission has intensified efforts to curb election malpractices, deploying observers and enforcement teams to ensure a fair election process.

Since the announcement of Bihar's assembly elections on October 6, enforcement agencies have seized liquor, cash, drugs, and freebies totalling Rs 64.13 crore, in an effort to curb electoral malpractices. Liquor worth Rs 23.41 crore was confiscated in the officially dry state, underscoring the scale of illegal activities.

Authorities have arrested 753 individuals and executed 13,587 non-bailable warrants. Directed by the Election Commission of India, multiple agencies, including police and excise departments, are actively monitoring electoral processes to curb the influence of money. Surveillance teams are ensuring transparency without public inconvenience during their operations.

With 243 assembly seats contested in two phases on November 6 and 11, the Election Commission has deployed numerous observers. The observers are tasked with ensuring elections are conducted freely and fairly, as preparations continue with the closing of nominations for the upcoming poll phases.

(With inputs from agencies.)