The Election Commission has so far seized Rupees 195 crore across the country and Andhra Pradesh has topped the list as a total of Rs. 118 crore cash was seized here. Rs. 18.31 crore in Tamil Nadu, Rs. 14.40 in Maharashtra, Rs. 10.46 crore in Uttar Pradesh and over Rs. 4 crore from Punjab and other smaller states were seized.

In addition to this, Rs 26.56 lakh litres of liquor, 70 kgs of heroin and 11,469 FIRs have been registered in various states.  

The EC also added that it has roped 659-officer strong surveillance teams from IRS and other central services who will monitor the election expenditure of candidates in all the Assembly and Lok Sabha Constituencies across the country.

EC asked the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to keep an eye on huge cash during the polls. Overall very stringent measures were taken by the EC to curb blackmoney and illegal funds.

(AW: Vamshi)