Synopsis
Ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections vote counting, a robust three-tier security arrangement has been implemented across 19 counting centers. This includes paramilitary forces and police personnel to ensure law and order during the critical counting period. AAP leaders express confidence despite exit polls predicting a BJP victory.Key Takeaways
- Security measures include a three-tier setup.
- Personnel from paramilitary forces and Delhi Police are deployed.
- Traffic management plans are in effect.
- Exit polls forecast a BJP win, with AAP confident.
- Claims of data withholding by the Election Commission have been refuted.
New Delhi, Feb 8 (NationPress) A three-tier security setup has been established at the 19 counting centers throughout Delhi in anticipation of the vote counting for the Delhi Assembly elections occurring on Saturday, as confirmed by officials.
Images depicted security personnel stationed outside various counting locations in Delhi.
This security framework comprises two companies of paramilitary forces in addition to personnel from the Delhi Police, ensuring an extensive security presence. Special Commissioner of Police, Devesh Chandra Srivastava, stated that strict measures are being implemented to uphold law and order during the counting phase.
To mitigate any potential risks, the Delhi Police has already conducted anti-sabotage inspections at all counting centers. Furthermore, a traffic management strategy has been formulated to guarantee smooth vehicle movement throughout the city during this critical counting period.
Meanwhile, exit polls have forecasted a favorable outcome for the BJP in the elections, with AAP trailing behind and Congress maintaining its poor performance.
However, AAP leaders argue that exit polls have consistently underestimated the party's seat count, expressing confidence in their return to power.
Notable constituencies include New Delhi, where AAP leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is contesting against Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit and BJP’s Parvesh Verma. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi is up against BJP's Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress candidate Alka Lamba.
The campaign featured intense exchanges among leaders from the three parties.
The Chief Electoral Officer of Delhi, on Friday, dismissed claims made by AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal, who alleged that the Election Commission (EC) had failed to provide booth-wise voting data for the Assembly constituencies.
The electoral body clarified that the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, had been fully complied with at every polling station.
According to Rule 49S of the Conduct of Election Rules 1961, all Presiding Officers provided the vote count recorded in Form 17C to every Polling Agent present at the polling station on the election day, February 5, 2025, as noted by the Delhi CEO's office on X.
On Friday, Kejriwal alleged that the Election Commission has declined to upload Form 17C, which indicates the total number of votes cast at each booth in the Assembly elections.
“The EC has refused to upload form 17C and the booth-wise vote counts for each Assembly despite numerous requests. Aam Aadmi Party has created a website where we have uploaded all the form 17C for every Assembly,” Kejriwal stated in a post on X.
Part (1) of Rule 49S of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, specifies that “the presiding officer shall prepare an account of votes recorded in Form 17C at the end of the poll and enclose it in a separate cover labeled 'Account of votes recorded'.”
Part (2) of Rule 49S mandates that the presiding officer provide a copy of Form 17C to every polling agent present.
“The presiding officer shall deliver a true copy of Form 17C entries to every polling agent at the close of the poll after securing a receipt from the polling agent, and shall attest it as a true copy,” part (2) of Rule 49S states.
