In the first 20 days of model election code of conduct, the State has reportedly made a seizure of excess of Rs 14 crore.
Notably, the entire seizures in the whole of MCC period were mere Rs 13.99 crore in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, according to the figures compiled by the Chief Electoral Officer of Madhya Pradesh.
The Chief Electoral Officer of the state VL Kantha Rao here on Monday while briefing the media about poll preparations said the seizure of Rs 4.92 crore cash has been reported since the imposition of election code of conduct. Illicit liquor of 1.97 litre has been recovered during action of various agencies including police and excise department worth Rs 4.97 cr.
The recovery of gold and silver jewellery has remained on lower side as ornaments worth Rs 44 lakh have been seized as of now, said Rao.
In crackdowns carried out by police and narcotics department, drugs worth Rs 1.97 cr have been recovered. Additionally, other items including vehicle, weapons and others valued at Rs 2.02 cr have been seized by authorities.
However the usage of cash, liquor and other freebies seems concerning as last time the overall seizures in MP were worth Rs 13.99 cr during 2014 LS polls while in the first 20 days this time, the recovery has surpassed this figure.
To a query, whether it was trend suggesting usage of large numbers of unfair means, CEO MP Rao claimed, “It only suggests we are cracking down hard.”
Then Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat ahead of assembly polls had revealed that the poll panel had seized cash, liquor and freebies worth Rs 51 crore in Madhya Pradesh in the run-up to the elections and called it a concerning trend for democracy.