Strict vigil is being maintained on manufacture, distribution and sale of liquor to prevent voters from being bribed. Apart from election staff, constant watch is also being made over the situation by flying squads, police and excise staff in districts. Chief Electoral Officer Shri Jaideep Govind has directed excise officers to prevent distribution of illegal liquor firmly. He has also directed to punish officers committing negligence regarding distribution of liquor.
About 58,000 litre IMFl and country liquor and beer has been seized since notification for Vidhan Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh on November 1. The excise staff has seized 40,514 litre illegal liquor/manually manufactured hooch, 12,64 litre IMFl and 5,612 bottles of beer. During last 15 days, 3,784 cases have been registered and action is on to prosecute concerning persons in court. During the same period last year when there were no elections, 1533 litre illegal liquor/manually manufactured hooch, 112 liter IMFl and 274 beer bottles were seized.
Major cases include seizure of 8 thousand 929 litre IMFl and 3 thousand litre beer on November 2 in Jhabua district and in Khargone district 531 liquor IMFl was seized on November 8, 378 litre on November 9, 1624 litre on November 10, 503 litre on November 12, 371 litre on November 13, 400 litre on November 14 and 395 litre on November 15. In Barwani district, 1059 litre country-made liquor was seized on November 10 and 395 litre on November 11. In Gwalior district, 170 litre IMFl and 370 litre country-made liquor was seized on November 14 and 2360 litre IMFl and 1080 country-made liquor was seized in Jhabua district on November 14.
It is noteworthy that all collectors have been directed also for effective action to seize illegal liquor. District collectors and concerning heads of departments have also been asked to ensure its regular monitoring. Office of the Chief Electoral Officer is seeking daily reports regarding
seizure cases.