Lok Sabha elections 2024: Delhi sets up control rooms and deploys flying squads to curb voter intimidation and MCC violations
A public notice issued by the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer directed district election officers or returning officers to enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in letter and spirit during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Lok Sabha elections: Control rooms have been set up and flying squadrons have been deployed across Delhi in a bid to curb MCC violations and check incidents of voter intimidation in the national capital, the city’s Chief Electoral Officer said on Sunday.
A public notice issued by the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer directed district election officers or returning officers to enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in letter and spirit. According to the report, flying squads and control rooms have been set up in the city’s seven Lok Sabha constituencies to monitor cases of violation of voting codes and intimidation of voters.
‘Giver’, ‘receiver’ of bribes to initiate legal action
Flying squads have been formed to register cases against both the “giver” and “taker” of bribes and take action against those involved in threatening and intimidating voters, the notice said.
“All citizens are hereby requested to refrain from all illegal activities as above and in case anyone offers bribe or has knowledge of the bribe or any case of threat/intimidation of voters, he/she should call the 24× toll-free number 7 Complaint Monitoring Cell of the Returning Officers/Districts set up for receiving complaints,” the report said.
Report MCC Violations: Poll to Delhiites
The poll body has also urged people to inform about incidents related to MCC violations, including damaging public property/property in public view, distributing cash, liquor, gifts or offering/attempting of bribes by candidates/political parties to the returning officers of their respective constituencies.
“If there are threats/intimidation of voters and cases of other electoral malpractices, it should be reported to the district election officer,” the report said.
Under Section 171 B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), any person who gives or accepts any reward in cash or in kind during the election process, with the intention of inducing any person to exercise his/her right to vote, shall be punishable with imprisonment. maximum one year or a fine or both.
Section 171 C of the IPC states that any person who threatens any candidate, voter or any other person with injury of any kind shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.
Single window system for applications
The Delhi poll body has also set up a ‘single window system’ in the offices of all seven returning officers in the city for receiving applications and granting permission/decisions to political parties and candidates for public meetings/rallies/processions/loudspeakers and the use of vehicles for electioneering and the use of non-commercial/remote/uncontrolled airports/helicopter pads etc. during the election period.
Political parties/candidates seeking clearance must register online through the mobile app ‘Suvidha Candidate’ or ‘ENCORE’ on the Election Commission of India website along with details of expenditure plan at least 48 hours before an event.
Parties/candidates seeking permission may also approach the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Consent) at the counter in the office of the returning officer concerned.
A political party/candidate can apply for permission for events/meetings/processions organized within seven days of submitting the application (excluding the day of application).
For more than one event on a given day, a separate application must be submitted, the poll body said.
“In case any event/meeting/procession etc. is held in the area falling under the jurisdiction of more than one Returning Officer of the Parliamentary Constituency, separate applications have to be made to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (permission ) in the office of the returning officer concerned,” the report said.
The permission or decision to the applicant will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis from the one-stop shop system, it added.
Lok Sabha elections announced
The elections to the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi will be held on May 25 in the sixth phase of the general elections, with 1.47 crore people eligible to exercise their franchise, as per the schedule announced by the Election Commission on Saturday India has been announced.
Meanwhile, voting for the 543 Lok Sabha seats across India will take place in seven phases, with the first on April 19. The votes will be counted on June 4.
The Model Code of Conduct came into force on Saturday with the announcement of the Lok Sabha polls by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, who asked political parties to maintain decorum during their campaigns.
Kumar also advised the parties against hate speech, caste or religious appeals, criticism of any aspect of private life, disguising advertisements as news and social media posts defaming or insulting rivals.
(With PTI inputs)