EC records highest poll code violations in Delhi

The number of violations of the Model Code of Conduct this year is the highest in the history of assembly elections in Delhi, an Election Commission official said Monday.

Voters in 70 constituencies in nine districts of the capital will cast ballot to elect a new Delhi assembly Dec 4.

"The number of First Information Reports against political parties this time is the highest at 346," Vijay Dev, chief electoral officer of the Delhi Election Commission, said at a press conference.

"Total 105 FIRs have been recorded against Aam Aadmi Party, making it the highest against any political party."

Code violation cases against the Congress stood at 88, against the Bharatiya Janata Party at 86, Bahujan Samajwadi Party at 27 and the remaining against other parties, Dev said.

In the past one month, 70 unlicensed arms and 60 cartridges were seized by electoral officers deployed in all nine districts of Delhi.

"A total number of 3,024 non-bailable warrants have been issued against people involved in illegitimate activities to create havoc during elections," Dev said.

The figure for preventive action taken against political party volunteers stood at 46,085.

A total cash amount of Rs.1,31,32,504 was seized in the last one month from various constituencies when it was being distributed among voters.

A total of 413 warning notices were issued against political parties for illegitimately organising public meetings, Dev said.

On arrangements made prior to the elections, the officer said all wine shops in the capital will remain closed from the time campaigning closed till tghe time polling was over to prevent supply of liquor among voters.

To maintain tranquillity and conduct the polls as per norms, 70,000 police personnel will be deployed in the capital.

"On the day of elections, Delhi Transport Corporation buses and Delhi Metro services will commence from 3 a.m. and 4 p.m. so that voters find it easy to commute to polling centres," said Dev.