ECI Tightens Vigil on Use of Money Power in Bihar Elections: ED, Income Tax, CGST, Customs & RBI to Intensify Measures
Since the announcement of the Bihar elections on October 6, 2025, enforcement agencies have reportedly seized contraband valued at about ₹33.97 crore
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed multiple central enforcement and financial intelligence agencies including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department, Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), Customs and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to intensify coordinated action against the use of money power in the forthcoming Bihar elections.
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The misuse of money power during elections is a long-standing vice that the nation has been plagued by; such occurrences undermine the integrity of the electoral process and voter autonomy.
As per the press release published on the Press Information Bureau of India (PIB), the Election Commission has instructed these agencies to remain vigilant and ensure that strict surveillance is maintained to prevent any illegal flow of cash, narcotics, liquor or other freebie materials that are aimed at influencing voters.
Agencies such as the State Police, Income Tax Department, Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND), CGST, Customs, DRI, ED, and RBI have been asked to maintain constant inter-departmental coordination to ensure effective enforcement across the state.
The Commission announced that it has deployed Expenditure Observers across all constituencies to monitor election expenses incurred by candidates. These observers have already been deployed to their respective constituencies on the day of the notification of the elections and shall meet with all field teams engaged in expenditure monitoring.
The Election Commission has also operationalised the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS), a digital platform for real-time reporting of seizures and interceptions by enforcement agencies. This system allows continuous data sharing between agencies to enhance the speed and accuracy of enforcement.
Since the announcement of elections on October 6, 2025, enforcement agencies have reported seizures amounting to ₹33.97 crore which includes cash, liquor, drugs and other items intended to influence voters. The Commission stated that these seizures highlight the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination and the need for sustained vigilance throughout the election process.
While deploying such proactive measures, the ECI has advised enforcement teams to ensure that citizens are not unduly harassed or inconvenienced during checking operations. The Commission reiterated that complaints regarding distribution of inducements or violation of election expenditure norms can be lodged by citizens through the C-Vigil App through which the public can report violations directly through their mobile phones.
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The steps taken by the Election Commission are necessary to ensure clean and fair elections, with the enforcement agencies working in tandem with each other.
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