Delhi will witness hectic campaigning: CEC

Delhi will witness "very hectic" political campaigning in the coming days, but the Election Commission will have a "zero tolerance" policy for any kind of "prohibited action or speech", Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath said Monday.

"Delhi will witness very hectic political campaigning. Because it is an exclusive poll. We will expect that the focus of all political parties would be here," Sampath told the media after announcing the dates for assembly elections to the NCT of Delhi.

Questioned whether the commission will take a strong stance on hate speeches he said: "...They will be addressed then and there. We don't want to either overplay or underplay the scenario. We will address the issues when they crop up. But there will be zero tolerance for any prohibited action or speech".

On whether ordinances can be promulgated by the government when the model code of conduct is in force, Sampath said: "They are promulgated by president. He is also a constitutional authority, we do not interfere in that".

Delhi will go to polls Feb 7 and votes will be counted Feb 10.