New Delhi, 26 March (H.S.):

The Election Commission launched a crackdown ahead of upcoming assembly elections and bypolls seizing over 400 crore rupees worth of illegal inducements under strict surveillance. From February 26 to March 25 authorities confiscated 408.82 crore rupees in cash liquor drugs precious metals and freebies.

The Commission announced polls for Assam Kerala Puducherry Tamil Nadu and West Bengal alongside bypolls in six states on March 15. States and union territories got firm orders to enforce the Model Code of Conduct rigorously.

To ensure fair fearless voting 5173 flying squads and over 5200 static surveillance teams now patrol checking hotspots relentlessly.

Breakdown shows 17.44 crore rupees in cash 37.68 crore worth of liquor (about 16.3 lakh litres) 167.38 crore in drugs 23 crore in gold and silver and 163.30 crore plus in other free goods.

Authorities stressed no harassment during checks with district grievance committees handling complaints swiftly.

The cVIGIL app logged 70944 complaints from March 15-25 resolving 70831 already. A whopping 95.8 percent got fixed within 100 minutes. Public and parties can also dial 1950 helpline on Thursday.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar