TFP Bureau, New Delhi, October 15, 2025 — The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued comprehensive directions to all enforcement agencies to intensify surveillance and prevent the misuse of money power, distribution of freebies, and illegal supply of liquor, narcotics, and drugs in the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections and eight bye-elections. The move aims to ensure fair, transparent, and inducement-free polling across the state.
Following the announcement of the Bihar Assembly election schedule on October 6, the Commission has mobilized multiple agencies including the State Police, Excise Department, Income Tax Department, Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central and State GST departments, Customs, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Railway Protection Force (RPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Airport Authority of India (AAI), Department of Posts, and the State Forest and Cooperative Departments. These agencies have been instructed to maintain strict coordination and proactive vigilance to prevent the circulation of black money and illegal inducements during the polls.
To strengthen expenditure monitoring, the ECI has deployed dedicated Expenditure Observers across constituencies. They have reached their respective districts on the day of election notification and are closely reviewing the flow of funds and campaign-related expenses of candidates. During their visits, the observers will interact with all teams engaged in expenditure surveillance, including Flying Squads, Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs), and Video Surveillance Teams (VSTs), ensuring round-the-clock monitoring of any suspicious financial activities or inducements intended to influence voters.
The Commission has also operationalized the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) — an online platform that enables real-time reporting and coordination among enforcement agencies regarding seizures made during the election period. According to ECI data, since the announcement of elections on October 6, enforcement teams have seized cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies worth ₹33.97 crore, indicating the scale of efforts to maintain electoral integrity.
While directing officials to remain vigilant, the Commission has emphasized that enforcement activities should be conducted without causing inconvenience or harassment to ordinary citizens. It reiterated that strict adherence to due process must be maintained during vehicle checks, raids, and inspections.
The ECI has also urged citizens to play an active role in promoting ethical elections. Members of the public can report any incidents of bribery, distribution of freebies, or other violations directly through the C-Vigil App, which allows for real-time complaint submission with photo or video evidence.
With a multi-agency strategy, advanced monitoring tools, and citizen participation, the Election Commission aims to ensure that the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner, upholding the sanctity of the democratic process.
