General Elections and bye-elections 2026: Seizures surpass Rs. 400 crores

• Election Commission of India (ECI) announced enforcement data showing seizures of illicit inducements crossing ₹408.82 crore within ~30 days of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) coming into force for the 2026 Assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and bye-elections in 6 states.
• Demonstrates ECI's deployment of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS), Flying Squad Teams (FSTs), Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) and the cVIGIL app to ensure inducement-free, intimidation-free elections — directly examinable under GS-II (RPA, electoral reforms).