The Election Commission of India has engaged multiple central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate, to crack down on the use of cash, liquor and other freebies ahead of the elections.

Agencies like the Income Tax (IT) department and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have been used in past elections. However, the EC has sought the services of the ED for the first time across the country for the upcoming polls.

“This is the first time we have decided to engage the ED to investigate illegal money trail in elections. The agency will work in tandem with 20 other agencies, including the IT and the DRI. They will probe the illegal cash flow through international borders and keep an eye on banking transactions,” chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Tuesday.

Kumar, along with the full bench of the EC, has been on a Bengal visit since Sunday to check the state's poll preparedness.

Taking the ED's help holds significance as confiscation of illegal funds has risen in recent polls in Bengal.

According to data, the 2014 Lok Sabha polls saw confiscated illegal cash to the tune of Rs 18.93 crore, which rose to Rs 44.33 crore in the 2016 Assembly polls. It further surged to Rs 118.04 crore in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the figure reached Rs 300.11 crore.

“The commission decided to attach the ED to look into the illegal financial flows in the state. The ED will submit its report to the election management committee set by the EC,” a senior official of the commission said.

Sources in the state administration said that the BJP had continuously lodged complaints with the EC in the past few months alleging Trinamul could use illegal funds raised through the teacher recruitment scam during the polls.

Kumar, who met Bengal chief secretary B.P. Goplalika and DGP Rajeev Kumar, political parties and bureaucrats in his three-day visit, said the EC would not tolerate bureaucratic partisanship.

"We are aware of the potential bias within the state bureaucracy, particularly at lower levels. Any form of partisan behaviour will not be accepted. If, despite our efforts, they persist in their actions, we will take decisive measures,” the chief election commissioner said.

The EC has directed DMs and SPs to maintain absolute impartiality towards all political parties for a level playing field.

On the deployment of central forces, Kumar said: "The deployment of central forces primarily will be done by a team of three members — the state's chief election officer Aariz Aftab, state police nodal officer Anand Kumar and the central observer. In the districts, it will be done by the respective DM, SP and district observer."