AAP delegation meets poll panel officials

A delegation of AAP leaders, including party convener Arvind Kejriwal, on Monday met the Election Commission alleging lapses and violations in the ongoing preparations for the Delhi Assembly elections.

The delegation included Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and MPs Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha.

During the meeting, the AAP delegation presented instances of alleged irregularities, including attempts to manipulate voters’ list and blatant violations of the Model Code of Conduct in the New Delhi Assembly.

They urged the EC to act swiftly to ensure a free, fair and transparent electoral process.

Reiterating the party’s demand, Kejriwal called for immediate suspension and transfer of the DM of New Delhi, who also acts as the District Election Officer (DEO) of the constituency.

Addressing the media, Kejriwal said: “We informed the EC about how, in the New Delhi Assembly constituency, applications are being filed using addresses of BJP MPs and ministers for creating 30-40 votes each in the last 15-20 days. They assured us that not even a single fraudulent voter would be allowed. There will be a deep inquiry about each vote and action will be taken, if required.”

He said the delegation also raised the issue of blatant distribution of cash and kind by the BJP candidate in the New Delhi Assembly constituency.

“On Sunday, blankets, shoes, jackets, cash and spectacles were distributed in the New Delhi Assembly. But, the DM’s report states that no such activity is happening,” he said.

“We pointed out that this clearly shows the local DM is complicit. When blankets are being distributed openly, how is it possible that the DM cannot see it? It means that the DM is involved,” the former Delhi CM said. The EC assured that all these activities would be stopped, Kejriwal told reporters.

He also thanked the EC for issuing an order to shift the voter registration of the party’s Patparganj candidate Avadh Ojha to Delhi.

“Consequently, he will be able to file his nomination. I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Election Commission for this.” AAP chief remarked.

The AAP, earlier in the day, had alleged that the Delhi CEO had initially set January 7 as the last date for submitting Form 6, 7 and 8, which was changed to January 6 by a late order.

Kejriwal had said that on December 26, he had applied for shifting his vote to Delhi on which there was no response. “Someone advised him that since his vote was already registered in Greater Noida, he should submit Form 8 instead of Form 6 for transfer. Accordingly, Ojha submitted Form 8 on January 7. However, mysteriously, the officer issued another order the next day, changing the deadline to January 6. Why was this second order issued? This is against the law and violates the Election Commission’s guidelines and manual,” he said.

Punjab CM Mann said the EC assured the delegation of addressing its concerns, including the fraudulent mass registration of voters at the residences of BJP MPs and ministers.