EC pegs pre-poll seizure at ?4,650 cr.

The Election Commission (EC) announced significant seizures of inducements, including drugs and cash, ahead of the elections, reflecting its commitment to ensuring electoral integrity.

Key-highlights of the Seizures

• Record-Breaking Seizures: The EC reported seizures amounting to ?4,650 crore, surpassing the figure recovered during the previous Lok Sabha election in 2019.
• Composition of Seized Items: The seized amount includes drugs worth ?2,069 crore, cash exceeding ?395 crore, and liquor valued at more than ?489 crore, highlighting the diverse nature of inducements.
• Daily Seizure Rate: Since March 1, the EC has been seizing goods worth ?100 crore every day, indicating proactive enforcement measures.
• Emphasis on Drug Seizures: Approximately 75% of the total seizures in January and February comprised drugs, underscoring the EC's focus on combating the nexus between drugs and electoral malpractices.

1: Dimension - Enforcement Efforts

• Comprehensive Planning: The EC attributed the successful seizures to comprehensive planning, collaborative efforts among agencies, proactive citizen participation, and optimal utilization of technology.
• Scaled-Up Collaboration: Enhanced collaboration among law enforcement agencies, electoral authorities, and citizens facilitated efficient seizure operations, ensuring a robust response to electoral malpractices.
• Unified Deterrence Action: Unified deterrence actions, backed by stringent enforcement measures, served as a deterrent against electoral misconduct, promoting a level playing field for all political stakeholders.

2: Dimension - Electoral Integrity

• Threat of Black Money: The EC cautioned against the use of black money and excessive political financing, emphasizing its potential to skew the electoral process in favor of resourceful parties or candidates.
• Ensuring Level Playing Field: The seizures underscored the EC's resolve to conduct elections free from inducements and malpractices, aiming to maintain a level playing field and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
• Standard Procedures: Standard procedures, such as the checking of helicopters carrying political leaders, were implemented to prevent inducements and ensure adherence to electoral guidelines, promoting transparency and fairness.

3: Dimension - Mitigating Electoral Malpractices

• Inducement-Free Polls: The seizures were integral to the EC's efforts to conduct inducement-free polls, mitigating the influence of illegal inducements on electoral outcomes and preserving the sanctity of the electoral process.
• Level-Playing Field Assurance: By actively curbing inducements and electoral malpractices, the EC reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a level-playing field, fostering electoral competition based on merit and policy agendas.
• Standardized Checks: Standardized checks, including helicopter searches, were conducted to uphold electoral integrity, ensuring adherence to electoral guidelines and deterring attempts to influence voters through inducements.

Mains Practice Question

Q. Analyze the role of comprehensive planning and collaborative efforts among law enforcement agencies in curbing electoral malpractices. How can enhanced cooperation further strengthen the electoral process?