New Delhi: On Monday, June 3, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar revealed that a record amount totalling Rs 10,000 crore including cash freebies and liquor was seized by the Election Commission (EC), which prevented vote buying and corruption during the recently concluded Lok Sabha 2024 polls. 
Speaking at a press conference scheduled by the Election Commission, CEC Rajiv said "Seizures of Rs 10,000 crore, including cash, freebies, drugs and liquor, made during 2024 polls as compared to Rs 3,500 crore in 2019."

"This is not the first time. We have seized Rs 3500 crore in the last 11 state assembly elections," he added.

Further addressing the media, Rajiv lauded the efforts of the Election Commission in the last two years which prevented the old practice of distributing freebies during the polls.

"You would see the distribution of freebies like liquor, dhotis, and saris in the past, but this time we have no such major instances,” Kumar said.

However, Rajiv further asserted that no major assistance in giving away money was reported in the southern states, which was a common practice in previous elections.

He also highlighted that drugs worth Rs 4,381 were seized during the election period.

Asserting strong stringent measures taken by the Election Commission (EC), Rajiv said all messages were given to the officials, adding that the goal was not to allow money power by the political parties.

"They were empowered and fearless. We even checked every helicopter of Central ministers, party leaders and chief ministers."

The CEC also said that a huge number of seizures were done because of the data maintained by the IT department. “Automatic monitoring through the CCMS system helped keep a track,” added Kumar.