The elections for the 70-member Delhi assembly will be held on the 7th of next month in a single phase. The counting of votes will take place on 10th February. Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath today announced the poll schedule at a press conference in New Delhi. He said, the notification in this regard will be issued on Wednesday and 21st January will be the last date for filing of nominations. The scrutiny will take place on the 22nd and candidates can withdraw their names by 24th January. Mr. Sampath said, the model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect.
The CEC said, there is a total of one crore, 30 lakh voters in Delhi. Around 11,763 polling stations will be set up and photo voters' slip will be issued at doorsteps of the voters. He said, a heated poll campaign is being expected and the EC will adopt a zero tolerance policy towards hate speeches and take all necessary measures to ensure free and fair polls.
The city has been under President's Rule for nearly a year. The BJP had emerged as the single largest party, winning 31 seats but fell four seats short of a simple majority in the last assembly election. Aam Aadmi Party formed the government with the support of Congress. The Arvind Kejriwal-led government resigned in February last year after the Jan Lokpal Bill could not be passed due to opposition from BJP and Congress.
Political parties have welcomed the announcement of poll schedule for Assembly election in Delhi. Talking to AIR, BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli expressed hope that the people will give mandate to his party on the lines of recently held Assembly elections in Haryana, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. He said his party will go to the people banking on its development agenda under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia urged the people to elect such a government which will curb corruption and price rise in the national capital. He said, power, water and employment for youth will be the main agenda for AAP in this elections.
Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters in New Delhi that its leaders and workers are enthusiastic for the polls. He expressed confidence that Congress will get full majority in the upcoming elections and form government thereafter.
