The Election Commission said it has seized unaccounted money, illicit liquor, drugs and other inducements worth a total of Rs 3,274 crore in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Monday.

"Total cash seizure is Rs 785.26 crore, liquor (Rs 249.038 crore), narcotics (Rs 1214.46 crore), Gold and precious materials (Rs 972.253 crore) and other freebies (Rs 53.167 crore), which makes the grand total of Rs 3274.18 crore," said an official statement issued by the EC.

The poll watchdog said it appointed 97 expenditure observers in 72 parliamentary constituencies and 42 assembly constituencies across the country that went to polls on Monday. It was appointed to implement its instructions regarding election expenditure of candidates and for the seizure of unaccounted money, illicit liquor, drugs, and other inducements.

In order to curb the abuse of money power during elections, the commission decided that each expenditure sensitive constituency would have two expenditure observers. States with geographically difficult terrain have also been allotted a slightly larger number of expenditure observers so that there is better visibility and accessibility.

As per the instructions of the EC, the states deployed adequate resources in terms of Flying Squads (FS), Static Surveillance Teams (SST) and Video Surveillance Teams (VSTs) in all the parliamentary constituencies and assembly constituencies, the EC said.

The number of expenditure observers was 97, assistant expenditure observers (492), FS (1761), SSTs (1757), VSTs (1080), video viewing team (618) and accounting team (543).

Voting was held on Monday for 72 seats across nine states including five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Jharkhand, six each in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, 13 each in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, eight in West Bengal and 17 in Maharashtra.

An overall voter turnout of 64.05 per cent was registered in the fourth phase of polling.

Seven-phase elections will end on May 19, and results will be declared on&nbsp;May 23.

The Election Commission said it has seized unaccounted money, illicit liquor, drugs and other inducements worth a total of Rs 3,274 crore in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Monday.

The Election Commission said it has seized unaccounted money, illicit liquor, drugs and other inducements worth a total of Rs 3,274 crore in the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Monday. "Total cash seizure is Rs 785.26 crore, liquor (Rs 249.038 crore), narcotics (Rs 1214.46 crore), Gold and precious materials (Rs 972.253 crore) and other freebies (Rs 53.167 crore), which makes the grand total of Rs 3274.18 crore," said an official statement issued by the EC. The poll watchdog said it appointed 97 expenditure observers in 72 parliamentary constituencies and 42 assembly constituencies across the country that went to polls on Monday. It was appointed to implement its instructions regarding election expenditure of candidates and for the seizure of unaccounted money, illicit liquor, drugs, and other inducements. In order to curb the abuse of money power during elections, the commission decided that each expenditure sensitive constituency would have two expenditure observers. States with geographically difficult terrain have also been allotted a slightly larger number of expenditure observers so that there is better visibility and accessibility. As per the instructions of the EC, the states deployed adequate resources in terms of Flying Squads (FS), Static Surveillance Teams (SST) and Video Surveillance Teams (VSTs) in all the parliamentary constituencies and assembly constituencies, the EC said. The number of expenditure observers was 97, assistant expenditure observers (492), FS (1761), SSTs (1757), VSTs (1080), video viewing team (618) and accounting team (543). Voting was held on Monday for 72 seats across nine states including five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Jharkhand, six each in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, 13 each in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, eight in West Bengal and 17 in Maharashtra. An overall voter turnout of 64.05 per cent was registered in the fourth phase of polling. Seven-phase elections will end on May 19, and results will be declared on May 23.

Lok Sabha polls 2019: Election Commission seizes cash, liquor worth Rs 3,274 crore in fourth phase

Clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/madhya-pradesh-poll-candidate-alleges-attack-by-naxals-ec-launches-probe-214321">security forces at polling booths</a> in Asansol, West Bengal on Monday during the fourth phase of polling in the area.

BJP MP candidate from Asansol, Babul Supriyo's car was also vandalised outside the polling station.

Voters at a polling booth in Asansol had refused to vote in the absence of security forces, media reports said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-fourth-phase-polling-underway-in-nine-states-214251">Live Lok Sabha polls: 23.62% polling recorded till 12pm, highest in Bengal</a>

WION reporter Pooja Mehta said that Babul Supriyo had information that the BJP polling agent was allegedly kicked out of a polling booth.

As soon as&nbsp;Supriyo&nbsp;reached the booth, he got into a war of words first with the TMC polling agent and then TMC supporters in the village. While leaving the village, TMC cadres reportedly began sloganeering "go back Babul". Just a few minutes later, Babul and his car was attacked.

"I am very aware that wherever I try to reach are the places where TMC is going to try to create some tension," the BJP candidate said, adding, "I'll deal with it the way it should be dealt."

There has been&nbsp;no comment yet from the Election Commissioner(EC) over the incident. There are eight seats going to&nbsp;the polls in West Bengal during the fourth phase apart from&nbsp;Asansol which include&nbsp;Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur,&nbsp;Bolpur (SC)&nbsp;and Birbhum.

The Election Commission had made elaborate security arrangments ahead of the fourth phase in West Bengal deploying 580 companies of central forces. EC sources had told PTI that "special emphasis"&nbsp;would be given to Asansol.

During the second phase of polling, violence had occurred in Raiganj Parliamentary constituency with BJP candidate Debasree Chaudhuri alleging that TMC workers tried to capture a polling booth in the constituency.

In Chopra, security personnel had lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to baton charge on locals as they blocked NH-34 highway in protest after unknown miscreants allegedly prevented them from casting their votes at Digirpar polling booth.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee's ruling TMC in the state is locked in a four-way battle with the Congress, Left Front and a resurgent BJP. An electorate of 1,34,56,491 will decide the fate of 68 candidates in these eight constituencies.

Despite incidents of violence, West Bengal has recorded consistently high voter turnout with the state recording 81 per cent turnout in the first phase and similarly high figures in the subsequent phases.

Clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and security forces at polling booths in Asansol, West Bengal on Monday during the fourth phase of polling in the area.

Clashes erupted between Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers and security forces at polling booths in Asansol, West Bengal on Monday during the fourth phase of polling in the area. BJP MP candidate from Asansol, Babul Supriyo's car was also vandalised outside the polling station. Voters at a polling booth in Asansol had refused to vote in the absence of security forces, media reports said. Live Lok Sabha polls: 23.62% polling recorded till 12pm, highest in Bengal WION reporter Pooja Mehta said that Babul Supriyo had information that the BJP polling agent was allegedly kicked out of a polling booth. As soon as Supriyo reached the booth, he got into a war of words first with the TMC polling agent and then TMC supporters in the village. While leaving the village, TMC cadres reportedly began sloganeering "go back Babul". Just a few minutes later, Babul and his car was attacked. "I am very aware that wherever I try to reach are the places where TMC is going to try to create some tension," the BJP candidate said, adding, "I'll deal with it the way it should be dealt." There has been no comment yet from the Election Commissioner(EC) over the incident. There are eight seats going to the polls in West Bengal during the fourth phase apart from Asansol which include Baharampur, Krishnagar, Ranaghat (SC), Burdwan East (SC), Burdwan-Durgapur, Bolpur (SC) and Birbhum. The Election Commission had made elaborate security arrangments ahead of the fourth phase in West Bengal deploying 580 companies of central forces. EC sources had told PTI that "special emphasis" would be given to Asansol. During the second phase of polling, violence had occurred in Raiganj Parliamentary constituency with BJP candidate Debasree Chaudhuri alleging that TMC workers tried to capture a polling booth in the constituency. In Chopra, security personnel had lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to baton charge on locals as they blocked NH-34 highway in protest after unknown miscreants allegedly prevented them from casting their votes at Digirpar polling booth. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee's ruling TMC in the state is locked in a four-way battle with the Congress, Left Front and a resurgent BJP. An electorate of 1,34,56,491 will decide the fate of 68 candidates in these eight constituencies. Despite incidents of violence, West Bengal has recorded consistently high voter turnout with the state recording 81 per cent turnout in the first phase and similarly high figures in the subsequent phases.

Lok Sabha polls: Clashes erupt between TMC workers, security forces in Asansol; Babul Supriyo's car vandalised

Lok Sabha polls 2019: 64% turnout in fourth phase; violence in West Bengal, Odisha

Over 12.79 crore voters will decide the fate of 945 candidates on 71 Lok Sabha seats spread across nine states during the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls on Monday.

As per the election schedule, five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/three-lok-sabha-seats-in-jharkhand-go-to-polls-on-april-29-214071">Jharkhand</a>, six in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha each, 17 in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-polling-in-17-seats-in-fourth-phase-on-monday-214115">Maharashtra</a>, 13 in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/13-of-25-seats-in-rajasthan-to-go-to-polls-on-monday-115-candidates-in-the-fray-214126">Rajasthan</a> and Uttar Pradesh each, and eight in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/eight-lok-sabha-seats-in-west-bengal-to-go-to-polls-in-fourth-phase-214055">West Bengal</a> will go to polls during the fourth phase of polling. &nbsp;

Apart from these, 42 Assembly constituencies in Odisha will also go to polls on Monday.

The voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm for most of the constituencies.

In Bihar, five constituencies -- Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, and Munger will go to polls. A total of sixty-six candidates are in the fray for these five seats. Voting will be held at 8,834 polling stations where around 87,02,313 voters will cast their votes.

All eyes will be on Begusarai seat from where CPI’s Kanhaiya Kumar is up against Union Minister Giriraj Singh and RJD’s Tanveer Hassan. Several prominent Bollywood personalities including Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Swara Bhaskar, and Prakash Raj have campaigned for the former JNU Students Union president.

In Jammu and Kashmir, Anantnag Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on Monday. It is to be noted that the election for Anantnag constituency is scheduled to be held in three phases. Polling will be held at 433 polling booths where 3,44,224 people will cast their votes.

In Jharkhand, Rajmahal, Dumka, and Godda seats will go to polls. Here, 59 candidates are in the fray. Polling will be held at 3,013 polling stations where 45,26,693 will exercise their right to franchise.

In Madhya Pradesh, six seats -- Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat, and Chhindwara will go to polls where a total of 108 candidates are contesting. Polling will be held at 13,491 polling stations where 1,05,55,689 voters will use exercise their franchise.

Chhindwara will be keenly watched from where Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s son Nakul Nath is contesting on the Congress ticket. The election is being seen as a test to Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s popularity.

Kamal Nath has represented this seat for 40 years before he was appointed the state Chief Minister in December last year.

In Maharashtra, 17 seats will go to polls. These are Nandurbar, Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai North, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai

North-East, Mumbai North-Central, Mumbai South–Central, Mumbai South, Maval, Shiru, and Shirdi.

Voting will be held at 33,314 polling station where 3,11,92,823 people will decide the fate of 323 candidates.

Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora, Congress leader Milind Deora and Priya Dutt are some of the high-profile candidates whose fate will be sealed in the EVMs on Monday.

In Odisha, six seats -- Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur will go to polls. Here, 52 candidates are in the fray. Polling will take place at 10,792 booths and 95,14,883 voters will exercise their franchise.

Former BJD leader and presently BJP vice president Baijayanta Panda is contesting from Kendrapada.

A total of 336 candidates are also contesting from 42 Assembly constituencies.

“Special attention will be given on Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency and additional police force has been deployed,” said Surendra Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha.

In Rajasthan, 13 seats -- Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota, and Jhalawar-Baran will go to polls.

Polling will be held at 28,182 polling stations. 115 candidates are in the fray from these 13 seats. A total of 2,57,76,993 voters are expected to cast their votes.

Polls for 13 seats of Uttar Pradesh will also be held on Monday. The seats are -- Shahjahanpur, Kheri, Hardoi, Misrikh, Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah, Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, and Hamirpur.

Here, the fate of 154 candidates will be decided by 2,38,88,367 voters. Voting will take place at 27,513 polling stations.

Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav who is also the wife of party president Akhilesh Yadav is contesting from Kannauj.

BJP has retained Sakshi Maharaj from Unnao seat.

In West Bengal, eight seats -- Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman–Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur, and Birbhum are going to polls.

Polling will be held at 15,277 stations. A total of 1,34,56,491 voters will exercise their franchise. The fate of 68 candidates will be sealed in EVMs.

Union Minister Babul Supriyo is contesting from Asansol seat against Trinamool Congress’ Moon Moon Sen.

The seven-phased Lok Sabha polls began on April 11. The first phase recorded 69.45 per cent voter turnout across the country. The second phase of polling took place on

April 18, which logged 69.43 per cent voting. The third phase of elections held on April 23 witnessed a turnout of 66 per cent.

The counting of votes will be done on May 23.

Over 12.79 crore voters will decide the fate of 945 candidates on 71 Lok Sabha seats spread across nine states during the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls on Monday.

Over 12.79 crore voters will decide the fate of 945 candidates on 71 Lok Sabha seats spread across nine states during the fourth phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls on Monday. As per the election schedule, five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Jharkhand, six in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha each, 17 in Maharashtra, 13 in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh each, and eight in West Bengal will go to polls during the fourth phase of polling. Apart from these, 42 Assembly constituencies in Odisha will also go to polls on Monday. The voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm for most of the constituencies. In Bihar, five constituencies -- Darbhanga, Ujiarpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, and Munger will go to polls. A total of sixty-six candidates are in the fray for these five seats. Voting will be held at 8,834 polling stations where around 87,02,313 voters will cast their votes. All eyes will be on Begusarai seat from where CPI’s Kanhaiya Kumar is up against Union Minister Giriraj Singh and RJD’s Tanveer Hassan. Several prominent Bollywood personalities including Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Swara Bhaskar, and Prakash Raj have campaigned for the former JNU Students Union president. In Jammu and Kashmir, Anantnag Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on Monday. It is to be noted that the election for Anantnag constituency is scheduled to be held in three phases. Polling will be held at 433 polling booths where 3,44,224 people will cast their votes. In Jharkhand, Rajmahal, Dumka, and Godda seats will go to polls. Here, 59 candidates are in the fray. Polling will be held at 3,013 polling stations where 45,26,693 will exercise their right to franchise. In Madhya Pradesh, six seats -- Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat, and Chhindwara will go to polls where a total of 108 candidates are contesting. Polling will be held at 13,491 polling stations where 1,05,55,689 voters will use exercise their franchise. Chhindwara will be keenly watched from where Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s son Nakul Nath is contesting on the Congress ticket. The election is being seen as a test to Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s popularity. Kamal Nath has represented this seat for 40 years before he was appointed the state Chief Minister in December last year. In Maharashtra, 17 seats will go to polls. These are Nandurbar, Dhule, Dindori, Nashik, Palghar, Bhiwandi, Kalyan, Thane, Mumbai North, Mumbai North-West, Mumbai North-East, Mumbai North-Central, Mumbai South–Central, Mumbai South, Maval, Shiru, and Shirdi. Voting will be held at 33,314 polling station where 3,11,92,823 people will decide the fate of 323 candidates. Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora, Congress leader Milind Deora and Priya Dutt are some of the high-profile candidates whose fate will be sealed in the EVMs on Monday. In Odisha, six seats -- Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, and Jagatsinghpur will go to polls. Here, 52 candidates are in the fray. Polling will take place at 10,792 booths and 95,14,883 voters will exercise their franchise. Former BJD leader and presently BJP vice president Baijayanta Panda is contesting from Kendrapada. A total of 336 candidates are also contesting from 42 Assembly constituencies. “Special attention will be given on Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency and additional police force has been deployed,” said Surendra Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha. In Rajasthan, 13 seats -- Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer, Jalore, Udaipur, Banswara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Kota, and Jhalawar-Baran will go to polls. Polling will be held at 28,182 polling stations. 115 candidates are in the fray from these 13 seats. A total of 2,57,76,993 voters are expected to cast their votes. Polls for 13 seats of Uttar Pradesh will also be held on Monday. The seats are -- Shahjahanpur, Kheri, Hardoi, Misrikh, Unnao, Farrukhabad, Etawah, Kannauj, Kanpur, Akbarpur, Jalaun, Jhansi, and Hamirpur. Here, the fate of 154 candidates will be decided by 2,38,88,367 voters. Voting will take place at 27,513 polling stations. Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav who is also the wife of party president Akhilesh Yadav is contesting from Kannauj. BJP has retained Sakshi Maharaj from Unnao seat. In West Bengal, eight seats -- Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman–Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur, and Birbhum are going to polls. Polling will be held at 15,277 stations. A total of 1,34,56,491 voters will exercise their franchise. The fate of 68 candidates will be sealed in EVMs. Union Minister Babul Supriyo is contesting from Asansol seat against Trinamool Congress’ Moon Moon Sen. The seven-phased Lok Sabha polls began on April 11. The first phase recorded 69.45 per cent voter turnout across the country. The second phase of polling took place on April 18, which logged 69.43 per cent voting. The third phase of elections held on April 23 witnessed a turnout of 66 per cent. The counting of votes will be done on May 23.

Fourth phase Lok Sabha polling on Monday; over 12.7 crore electors to vote for 71 constituencies