Delhi, October 15: The Election Commission of India has directed enforcement agencies to prevent the use of money power in the upcoming Bihar elections. Expenditure Observers deployed to observe the election expenses has been directed to monitor the expenditure by the candidates.

“In order to curb the use of money power, freebies as well as drugs, narcotics and liquor in the ensuing elections, the Commission has issued directions to all the Enforcement Agencies including the State Police Dept., State Excise Dept., Income Tax Dept., FIU-IND, RBI, SLBC, DRI, CGST, SGST, Customs, ED, NCB, RPF, CISF, SSB, BCAS, AAI, Department of Post, State Forest Dept. and State Co-operative Dept,” said the ECI.

The poll body said, “Expenditure Observers have already been deployed to monitor the election expenses incurred by the candidates and have reached their respective constituencies on the day of the notification of elections. During the visit they will meet all the teams engaged in expenditure monitoring.”

“Flying Squads, Surveillance Teams, Video Surveillance Teams will be vigilant round- the-clock to monitor any suspected instances of money power or other inducements being used to sway the voters. The Commission has also activated the online system called Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) for reporting of interceptions/seizures made by the FSs, SSTs and enforcement agencies on a real-time basis during the election period,” it added.

Since announcement of elections on October 6, 2025, a total seizure of Rs 33.97 crore worth of cash, liquor, drugs and freebies has been done by different Enforcement Agencies.

The Commission also stressed that the enforcement authorities should ensure that ordinary citizens are not be inconvenienced or harassed during the checking and inspection for the enforcement of these directives.

Any member of the public can also complain regarding any such violations through the C-Vigil App.

The Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with counting of votes scheduled for November 14.