Before the first ballot is cast in the highly anticipated 2024 Lok Sabha elections, it seems the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has hit the jackpot! In a dramatic prelude to the elections, the Election Commission (EC) has announced a staggering seizure of over ₹4,650 crore worth of cash, liquor, drugs, and those ever-enticing ‘freebies.’
Move over, 2019 elections with your modest ₹3,475 crore seizures; 2024 is here to set the bar sky-high. This year’s haul is not just a new record; it’s like the blockbuster sequel that outdoes the original in every way. And what’s a record-breaking haul without some stats? A whopping 45% of this treasure trove consisted of drugs and narcotics—clearly, the Enforcement Directorate wasn’t just hunting for spare change under the sofa cushions.
Enforcement Directorate Hunts for Liquor, Cash, and 24K Magic
Let’s break down the bounty: cash confiscations stood at a cool ₹395.39 crore; liquor flowed at about ₹489.31 crore; drugs rocked in at ₹2,068.85 crore; precious metals sparkled with ₹562.10 crore; and other freebies tallied up to ₹1,142.49 crore. It’s almost like the Enforcement Directorate under the guidance of the EC is gearing up to host the world’s strangest auction.
Credit where credit is due—the spike in seizures owes much to the EC’s shiny new Election Seizure Management System. A total of 6,398 district nodal officers of various agencies, 734 state nodal officers, 59,000 flying squads and static surveillance teams are using this portal. This isn’t your average backend update; it’s a full-fledged digital watchdog that’s got more eyes on the ground than a paranoid chameleon. This system saw action first in the 2023 state assembly elections, where it helped nab ₹2,014.26 crore, proving it’s not just a one-hit-wonder.
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Pre-Election Prep: Not Just About Rallies
Think election preparation is just about rallies and speeches? Think again. From January 2024, Enforcement Directorate and EC officials have been touring every State and Union territory, not to sample regional cuisines, but to double down on combating the pesky influence of money in elections. Their tour even included cosy chats with Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police, because nothing says ‘serious business’ like discussing crackdown strategies over a cup of tea.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, though. Reports surfaced of tourists caught up in the overzealous crackdown, turning vacation selfies into not-so-fun frisking sessions. Recognising the need for tact, the EC issued an advisory for a more courteous inspection approach because scaring tourists is definitely not on the agenda.
Leaderboard of Seizures
And for those keeping score, here’s a quick look at the leaderboard: Rajasthan is leading the pack with a whopping ₹778.52 crore in seizures, followed closely by Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Clearly, some states are taking the ‘bring home the bacon’ adage a bit too seriously.
Top 10 states
| State | Amount seized |
| Rajasthan | Rs. 778.52 crore |
| Gujarat | Rs. 605.33 crore |
| Tamil Nadu | Rs. 460.94 crore |
| Maharashtra | Rs. 421.34 crore |
| Punjab | Rs. 311.84 crore |
| Karnataka | Rs. 281.43 crore |
| Delhi | Rs. 236.06 crore |
| West Bengal | Rs. 219.6 crore |
| Uttar Pradesh | Rs. 145.76 crore |
| Telangana | Rs.121.84 crore |
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said the commission stressed on strict compliance of civil aviation security rules on surveillance and inspection of “non-scheduled aircrafts”, including helicopters and private jets, by income tax and airport authorities, police chiefs of districts concerned, border agencies as well as goods and services tax (GST) authorities. “There was a substantial focus on drug seizures, which accounted for approximately 75% of the total seizures in January and February,” he added.
As the election period continues, with six weeks still on the clock, who knows what the final tally will be? One thing is for certain, the EC’s pre-election crackdown has turned into a treasure hunt of epic proportions, promising to keep all players on their toes. Stay tuned, folks—this electoral season is proving to be as thrilling as any blockbuster!
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