In a significant move ahead of the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to ensure a free, fair, and inducement-free election. A massive crackdown has led to the seizure of cash, narcotics, bullion, liquor, and freebies valued at over Rs 218 crore during surveillance under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Seizures Recorded So Far
- Cash: Rs 38.64 crore, marking a 202% increase compared to the cash recovered during the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections.
- Narcotics: Rs 88.40 crore worth of illegal drugs.
- Bullion: Seized bullion valued at Rs 80.78 crore.
- Liquor: Confiscated alcohol worth Rs 4.94 crore.
- Freebies: Items and goods worth Rs 5.52 crore were seized as part of efforts to curb inducements.
Intensified Surveillance
- The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Delhi, has also registered 2,703 FIRs under various acts, surpassing the 2,067 FIRs recorded during the entire 2020 elections.
- Special teams have been deployed to monitor suspicious activities, ensuring compliance with electoral norms and preventing the misuse of money, liquor, and other inducements.
Delhi Police Crackdown on Arms and Narcotics
- In a separate operation, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch arrested a notorious gangster and recovered sophisticated firearms, including two pistols (manufactured in Austria and Turkey), along with 125 live cartridges and several magazines.
- The drive is in line with the Election Commission of India’s guidelines to prevent the distribution of illicit liquor, drugs, and illegal arms ahead of the elections.
Election Commission’s Directives
- The Election Commission has issued stringent guidelines, emphasizing that all enforcement agencies must track any form of misuse of money power and inducement to voters.
- Authorities are also closely monitoring activities that may cause tension between communities or stir mutual hatred during the elections.
Upcoming Polls
- Delhi Assembly Elections are scheduled to take place on February 5, and the counting of votes will occur on February 8. The 70 legislative assembly seats in Delhi will be up for grabs, and the Election Commission has stressed the importance of a transparent, peaceful, and fair election.
With the elections just around the corner, enforcement agencies are ramping up their operations to curb unlawful activities and maintain the integrity of the electoral process.