Over 200 FIRs against parties for violation of model code

219 FIRs have been registered against various political parties for alleged violation of model code of conduct in the city, with the maximum against Aam Admi Party, according to Delhi Election Commission.
According to the Commission's data, 219 FIRs have been registered since October 4, when the model code came into effect with the announcement of the election schedule.
The maximum number of 79 FIRs has been registered against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). This is followed by 56 cases against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 53 against Congress, 21 against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and 26 against all other political parties.

The cases are registered under various sections of the Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Properties (DPDP) Act, Representation of People (RP) Act and Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act.
"The majority of cases are registered under DPDP Act, conducting political rallies without permission and violating norms related to loudspeakers and use of vehicles," an official said.
Besides FIRs, over 200 cases of model code violations have also been registered by the Delhi EC.

Ankur Garg, chief nodal officer (model code of conduct), said, "Not all violation cases translate into FIRs and actions are taken according to violations."
Besides registering FIRs and model code violations, the Delhi EC's flying squads have removed hundreds of posters, banners and hoardings from various places, added the official.

Meanwhile, political parties are unhappy with the removal of posters and hoardings by the Delhi EC and delay in getting approvals and NOCs for holding public meetings.
Aam Aadami Party yesterday complained with the Delhi Election Commission that delay in giving No Objection Certificates for holding public meeting and arbitrary change in norms of the model code of conduct have hit the party's campaign hard.
Senior lawyer and AAP leader Prashant Bhushan yesterday met Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vijay Dev to air his party's grievances.
Bhushan alleged in the name of implementing the model code authorities were imposing too many restrictions like ban on sticking posters on auto-rickshaws and houses of volunteers and publicising slogans on T-shirts and caps.

BJP today charged the Delhi Police with being hand in glove with the city Government in removing hoardings featuring Narendra Modi across the city and harassing the party workers and sought to compare the situation to that of an "unannounced emergency".