The enforcement agencies have seized over Rs 1,000 crore worth of cash, liquor and other inducements in the ongoing elections in Maharashtra, Jharkhand and across 14 states where bypolls are being held, the Election Commission said Monday.
The poll body said that 858 crores out of Rs 1,000 crore have been seized from Maharashtra and Jharkhand, which is seven times the seizures made during the assembly elections in 2019.
In Maharashtra, seizures were recorded in all cohorts across all districts, much higher than previous assembly elections. This includes seizure of ₹3.70 crores of cash from a suspicious Jeep in Wada police station area in Palghar district. In another incident, in Jamod seat of Buldhana district, 4500 kg of Ganja plants worth ₹4.51 crores were seized. In Raigad, ₹5.20 crores worth of silver bars were seized.
The second round of voting in Jharkhand will take place on November 20. Maharashtra will vote on the same day. The votes for both states will be counted on November 23.
“In Maharashtra, seizures were recorded in all cohorts across all districts, much higher than previous assembly elections. A few noteworthy operations included seizure of Rs. 3.70 crore of cash from a suspicious Jeep in Wada police station area in Palghar District. In another noteworthy incident, in Jamod AC of Buldhana district, 4500 kg of Ganja plants worth Rs 4.51 crore were seized. In Raigad, Rs. 5.20 crore worth of silver bars were seized,” said the poll body.
Campaigning Ends
Campaigning for phase 2 of Jaharkhand and single-phase Maharashtra election ended on Monday.
Elections to 81-member Jharkhand assembly is taking place in two phases. First phase for 43 seats was held on November 13. The second phase for the remaining 38 seats will be held on November 20, the same day when all 288 seats of Maharashtra will go to polls. The results of both these states will be declared on November 23.
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