A day before the State goes to polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on May 9 said seizures of liquor, drugs and freebies worth ₹375.61 crore have been made in Karnataka since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was enforced. This is 4.5 times more than during the last Assembly polls in 2018. Total seizure worth ₹83.93 crore was made in 2018.
The commission further said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had attached assets worth ₹288 crore since after the imposition of the MCC on March 29.
In a statement issued here, the EC said: “The recorded seizures in the state mark a significant 4.5 times increase as compared to the assembly election in 2018. Strict vigil, extensive monitoring, coordination with neighbouring states and inter-agency coordination has led to checking flow and distribution of inducements in Karnataka this time.”
