Delhi Election 2025: Election Commission tells poll officials to remain vigilant, issues directives

The Election Commission has asked officials to ‘remain vigilant’ as the Delhi Assembly polls draw increasingly nearer. EC representatives have also been asked to hold meetings with top police officials and undertake a strict vigil against malpractices during the most critical 72 hours before voting concluded.

The instructions also come mere days after a flying squad team went to search the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann following a complaint on the C-Vigil app. Instructions shared by the poll body on Saturday called for such teams to follow proper procedure and ensure that there was no law and order problem.

“The entire proceeding shall be video recorded. The charge Officer of FS shall also file complaints or FIR immediately against the persons receiving/giving bribe; and any other person from whom contraband items are seized, or any other anti-social elements found engaged in illegal activity,” the EC wrote.

District election officers have been asked to hold special meetings with senior police officials and other poll observers to discuss ways to handle the law and order situation. The Election Commission also reiterated the need to closely track for all forms of misuse of money power and inducement to voters.

“A close tracking should be made by all the enforcement agencies for tracking all forms of misuse of money power and inducement to voter. The field level machinery/police administration/enforcement agencies should work as a team to track all types of malpractices,” it added.

“In case, a complaint is received about distribution of cash, gift items, liquor or free food: or about threat/ intimidation of electors; or of movement of arms/ammunitions/antisocial elements and it is not possible for the FS to reach the spot immediately, then the information shall be passed on to the Static Surveillance Team, nearest to the spot or to the police station of that area, who shall rush a team to the spot for taking necessary action on the complaint,” it added.

Elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly will be held on February 5 with votes being counted on February 8.

(With inputs from agencies)