Delhi Chief Minister Atishi’s election agent, Vijay Kumar, lodged a formal complaint on Friday against BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri, alleging that he set up an election office within the prohibited 200-meter distance from a polling station in Govindpuri. The complaint was filed with the Returning Officer ahead of Delhi’s February 5 assembly elections.
Alleged Violation of Model Code of Conduct
In the complaint, Kumar highlighted that Bidhuri had established a temporary election office at Banaras House, 1/42, DDA Local Shopping Complex, Govindpuri, which is located just 80 meters from MCD Co-ed School, Giri Nagar, Kalkaji, a designated polling booth.
“This is a blatant contravention of the guidelines established by the Election Commission of India. As per the Model Code of Conduct, no election office should be set up within 200 meters of polling stations to ensure a fair and unbiased environment for voters,” Kumar wrote.
AAP’s Concerns Over Electoral Integrity
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that the proximity of the office to the polling station could influence voters, creating an “unfair advantage” for Bidhuri and undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
“This act could potentially influence voters, creating an unfair advantage and undermining the integrity of the electoral process. Immediate action must be taken to rectify this situation,” the complaint stated.
Demands for Action
Kumar requested the Returning Officer to:
- Remove the temporary election office within the prohibited area.
- Initiate appropriate action against Ramesh Bidhuri as per election rules.
- Ensure strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct by all candidates.
Context of the Delhi Assembly Elections
Delhi is set for a three-way contest between the ruling AAP, BJP, and Congress. While AAP dominated the 2015 and 2020 elections, Congress, which ruled Delhi for 15 years, has struggled to make a comeback.
The elections will be held on February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8.