Poll conduct: 29 FIRs filed against political parties

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 20

The instances of Model Code of Conduct violations have gradually increased with as many as 29 FIRs being registered against various political parties in the national capital, and one of them being against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for using auto-rickshaws for election campaign.

Of the total 29 FIRs, three each have been filed against AAP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for not complying with the model code, said Delhi election authorities.

While majority of the 29 FIRs registered against political parties were for defacing public property, one of the cases registered against the AAP was for using auto-rickshaws for election campaign.

Special Chief Electoral Officer Satnam Singh said the Election Commission has also removed more than 1.8 lakh unauthorised political posters and hoardings since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct after the Election Commission of India announced the dates on March 10.

He said 91 FIRs have been registered and 112 persons arrested under the Arms Act since March 12 while police have seized 99 unlicenced weapons from them. Under the Excise Act, 296 FIRs have been registered and 302 violators arrested, according him.

Elections to the seven parliamentary seats in Delhi will be on May 12. The Lok Sabha election will be held in seven phases beginning April 11 and the counting of votes will be on May 23.