Extensive and unethical use of black money during elections in India has always been a highly sensitive issue. Assembly elections in the states of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and UT of Puducherry is knocking on doors and while the media is busy covering campaigns and pollsters and psephologists in making projections, it has come to light that this time also it’s going to be a rerun of many of the earlier editions. The Election Commission of India (ECI) through its press release on March 17 has informed it has made seizures worth Rs 331.47 cr from these states/UT which is a record since it has surpassed the figure of 2016. The Commission deserves thanks for this tough approach and it’s hoped the vigil continues all throughout the electioneering process.

The ‘catch’ is significant in the sense it has been made during a period when actual polling is still to commence and the net value of components comprising cash, liquor, drugs, freebies and precious metals is way more than Rs 225.77 cr (total) made during the expenditure monitoring process in 2016. Tamil Nadu has topped the list with Rs 127.64 cr followed by West Bengal Rs 112.59 cr, Assam Rs 63.75 cr, Kerala Rs 21.77 cr and Puducherry Rs 5.72 cr. It will be closely observed what the final figures emerge as many poll analysts are of the opinion that the speed with which the ‘switch-overs’ are taking place, especially in West Bengal, it would be barely surprising if the final catch turns out to be multiple times of the current one. However, that will be only possible if ECI continues maintaining its air-tight vigil. Nevertheless, preparations of the Commission should elicit confidence among the electorate of the above poll-bound states/UTs. Besides marking as many as 259 ACs in total as ‘Expenditure Sensitive Constituencies’ which means a more focussed vigil, there will be 295 Expenditure Observers as well as five Special Expenditure Observers to oversee the expenditure graphs of the contesting parties. Despite these sturdy dykes, it's still lamentable that the ailment of invasion of black money in the election process is chronic till date. It’s an open secret that in most cases the seizures are just the tips of icebergs, the length and breadth of which remain largely unfathomable. No wonder, the relevancy of continuance of electoral bonds for election funding which is markedly opaque is under question, with voices rising for its immediate end. The Supreme Court is going to take up a plea seeking a stay on its sale on March 24, ahead of the above assembly elections.

Blocking the footprint of illegal money on the Indian election arena is a very difficult task. The ECI, however, must continue to act tough.