The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued comprehensive directions to various enforcement agencies to curb the use of money power, freebies, liquor, narcotics, and other inducements during the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections and bye-elections in eight Assembly Constituencies, scheduled as per the announcement made on October 6, 2025.
The Commission has instructed agencies including the State Police, State Excise Department, Income Tax Department, FIU-IND, RBI, SLBC, DRI, CGST, SGST, Customs, ED, NCB, RPF, CISF, SSB, BCAS, AAI, Department of Posts, State Forest Department, and State Co-operative Department to intensify vigilance and ensure strict enforcement.
Expenditure Observers have already been deployed to monitor election expenses and are coordinating with Flying Squads, Static Surveillance Teams, and Video Surveillance Teams, which will operate round the clock to detect any illicit activities aimed at influencing voters.
The ECI has also activated the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) to enable real-time reporting of seizures and interceptions made by enforcement teams. Since the announcement of elections, agencies have reported seizures worth ₹33.97 crore, including cash, liquor, drugs, and freebies.
The Commission emphasized that enforcement measures should be carried out without causing inconvenience or harassment to ordinary citizens, and encouraged the public to report any violations through the C-Vigil App.