Whereas the vast majority of polling stations throughout Delhi operated easily by means of most of Wednesday, sporadic incidents of alleged irregularities, voter intimidation, pretend voters, and mismanagement emerged, stirring the palpable political tensions within the metropolis.
Safety personnel outdoors a polling station for the Delhi meeting elections on Wednesday. (ANI Photograph)
In what has been a high-octane run-up to the elections, with the Aam Aadmi Celebration (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP) pitched in a high-stakes battle, accusations flew thick and quick in some areas on Wednesday, including one more layer of drama to an already heated electoral contest.
Chirag Dilli: Barricades and accusations
Round noon in Chirag Delhi, part of the Better Kailash constituency, AAP chief and minister Saurabh Bhardwaj confronted the police over what he known as an orchestrated try to dam AAP supporters from reaching polling stations by “manufacturing” visitors jams.
He acquired right into a heated argument with senior cops in Chirag Delhi over the matter.
Bhardwaj took to social media, posting a video of cops stopping an aged girl from continuing in an auto-rickshaw. “Delhi Police has barricaded the whole area of Chirag Delhi and is not letting citizens vote. Have informed the returning officer (RO) also. They have intentionally put barricades around polling stations and are manufacturing traffic jams to demotivate voters in AAP strongholds,” he wrote on X.
Police officers pushed again towards the declare. Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Ankit Chauhan clarified that barricades had been in place throughout town and that exceptions had been being made for aged voters and individuals with disabilities. “For them, bringing vehicles inside polling stations is allowed. This rule is being implemented everywhere. We will investigate any concerns raised,” Chauhan mentioned.
The standoff continued for a while, however police eliminated a layer of barricades from one facet of the highway.
Locals expressed frustration on the roadblocks. SS Gupta, a builder in Chirag Delhi, recounted how he struggled to achieve the sales space. “It should have taken 10 minutes to vote. Instead, I had to walk my children 500-700 meters because cabs and autos were not allowed. I almost gave up,” he mentioned.
Gajender Kumar, a medical skilled, believed the barricades had been pointless. “This wasn’t about Bhardwaj or AAP — what if we wanted to vote for BJP or Congress? This discouragement affected everyone. I saw elderly people leave without voting,” he mentioned.
Jangpura: Bribery allegations
In Jangpura, the place former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia is contesting for the primary time, the AAP claimed that BJP employees had been “openly handing out cash” close to a polling sales space. “The BJP candidate is distributing money, taking voters into a building in Jangpura. Why is the Election Commission not raiding this house?” Sisodia posted on-line, together with a video exhibiting individuals coming into and exiting a residence.
Police, together with the district election staff, intervened after protests from each AAP and BJP supporters. Nevertheless, the scenario was managed by the police and no proof of cash distribution was discovered by the Flying Surveillance Group (FST) deployed to the areas.
“Allegations of voter bribery at Sarai Kale Khan were promptly investigated. No proof was found,” Ravi Kumar Singh, DCP, southeast Delhi.
Seelampur: Showdown over ‘fake votes’
A commotion was reported at Aryana Public College in northeast Delhi’s Seelampur when a crowd of BJP supporters accused burqa-clad ladies of casting a number of votes. The police shortly intervened, clearing the realm inside half an hour, and stating that no foul play was discovered.
Authorities later clarified that the dispute stemmed from confusion over comparable names on the voter checklist. “A PCR call was received by a lady alleging that her vote had already been cast by someone else. A woman named Mohini (26) alleged that someone had already voted in her name. An investigation revealed another voter, Munni Devi (60), was also registered at the same address. After verification, the presiding officer allowed both to vote,” a senior officer mentioned.
Kasturba Nagar: Faux voters caught
At Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in south Delhi’s Kasturba Nagar, two younger males, Sumit (22) and Anuj (24), had been detained for allegedly trying to forged pretend votes.
“Two people were going to Savodaya Vidyalaya in Andrews Ganj area of Kasturba Nagar assembly constituency of Delhi to cast fake votes with fraudulent voter slips when they were apprehended by the police. Both are being interrogated,” mentioned a Delhi Police official.
Kasturba Nagar is witnessing a fierce three-way battle between Congress candidate Abhishek Dutt, BJP’s Neeraj Basoya, and AAP’s sitting MLA Ramesh Pehalwan.
New Delhi: MCC violations
The New Delhi constituency noticed tensions as AAP employees had been accused of violating the Mannequin Code of Conduct (MCC) and allegedly distributing freebies and coercing voters to AAP’s stall on the polling sales space.
In South Avenue, police detained an AAP employee, Harish (recognized solely by his first identify). DCP (New Delhi) Devesh Mahla mentioned, “He was briefly detained along with an associate on complaint of distributing freebies and transporting voters to polling booth. Further enquiry is going on and legal action will be taken based on facts. He was released around 2-3pm.”
AAP MP Sanjay Singh reacted strongly, accusing the BJP of focusing on members of the Valmiki neighborhood. “… What is your enmity with the Valmiki community? How many of them have you arrested so far? They will respond with their votes,” Singh posted on-line.
In Mandir Marg, AAP employee Uday Gill was detained for “pushing” voters towards AAP’s stall outdoors polling stations. “He was violating MCC and attempting to influence voters,” police mentioned.
Shakur Basti: ‘Hijacking’ claims
In Shakur Basti, the AAP accused the Delhi Police of coercing voters to help the BJP. The AAP posted a video on-line, claiming, “People themselves are saying how Delhi Police is forcing votes in BJP’s favour at Sainik Vihar polling station. Delhi is watching, and responding by voting in large numbers.”
Nevertheless, the District Election Workplace (DEO) dismissed the allegations.
“Upon receiving the complaint, the Flying Squad (FST) was dispatched. Investigations found that all voters were casting their votes freely. The video is completely false,” the DEO clarified.
Rajendra Nagar: AAP chief ‘attacked’
Within the night, the AAP alleged that BJP employees had “attacked” its Rajendra Nagar in-charge Rajan Arora.
DCP (west) Vichitra Veer confirmed that police had been trying into the matter. “Local police have taken note. Action will be taken as per law.”
Police mentioned they’d reviewed a video circulating on-line and located proof of a scuffle. “We have received Arora’s complaint and will follow due procedure,” a senior officer mentioned.