Election officials have seized liquor, drugs, precious metals, cash worth over Rs 17 crore so far: Goa Chief Electoral Officer

Panaji (Goa) [India], May 3 : On election preparations, Goa Chief Electoral Officer Ramesh Verma on Friday said that there is a hike in liquor, drugs, precious metals, and freebies and the total seizure amount till now is Rs 17.12 crores.
"To date we have seized around Rs 17.12 crores, which is almost a 35% increase... We have an increase in liquor, drugs, precious metals, and freebies. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the total seizure was Rs 12.72 crores which has been surpassed this time, and we still have more work to do," said Ramesh Verma.
He further stated that our field teams and other departments have been actively working for the last six months, adding to that, he said, "This time we are providing transportation facilities to our voters also. We even have 21 international guests this time, 4 officials- 2 each from Bhutan and Mongolia, 15 media persons from Bhutan and 2 from Israel. They will be reaching here on May 5 and they will be with us on the 6th and 7th and will witness the whole process with us..."
The chief poll officer said that the election commission app along with new features has been introduced this time to deal with any election-related grievance.
Ramesh Verma emphasised that people are more aware, adding to which he said, "They immediately send reports if they find anything. Medical camp facilities, green initiatives, and transportation facilities for plantations."
Notably, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on April 30 released final figures of voting in the first two phases of the Lok Sabha election, showing a turnout of over 66 per cent in both phases.
According to the poll body, in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the voter turnout was recorded at 66.14 per cent and 66.71 per cent in the second phase. Voting for the first phase was held on April 19 and the second phase on April 26.
The poll panel further said that the male turnout in the first leg stood at 66.22 per cent, female at 66.07 per cent and third-gender (31.32 per cent). The figures for the second phase were 66.99 per cent (Male), 66.42 per cent (Female), and 23.86 per cent (Third-Gender), respectively.
Of the total 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, as many as 102 went to polls on April 19, and 88 on April 26. Voting will also be held on May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.
The counting of votes and result declaration is scheduled for June 4.