New Delhi: Delhi police is on its toes ahead of the upcoming assembly elections as it has the double responsibility of ensuring that the model code of conduct is not violated and providing up-to-date security at all polling booths when the elections take place.
Flying squads are keeping a strict vigil in the city against violation of model code of conduct, like defacing public places with posters, use of money, distribution of illegal liquor, entry of muscle men, among others.
The model code of conduct was enforced on October 4 with announcement of the election date. Three flying squads consisting of officials and policemen are on the lookout in each of the 70 constituencies.
If there is any breach of the model code of conduct, action is being taken and FIR is also being lodged. Every day, a nine-point report is made in all the districts at the DCP or Additional CP level, which is sent to the police headquarters from where a final report is being sent to the State Election Commission.
Police is maintaining a hawk eye on printing presses as they have to comply with section 127A of the Representation of the People Act and publish their names and addresses on banners and hoardings.
Regular meetings are also being held at the police headquarters here in which senior police officials are constantly reviewing the security needs and chalking out plans for peaceful conduct of elections.
As this time about one-fourth of the polling premises for the upcoming Assembly polls have been identified as `critical` by the Delhi Election Commission, police officials are also finalising the deployment needs at each booth.
The number of critical polling premises has more than doubled since the last Delhi assembly election. In 2008, there were 264 such critical premises, but this time around, 634 premises have been identified as critical.
According to estimates, around 35,000 Delhi police personnel will be deployed during the upcoming elections slated for December 4 other than central forces and Home Guards.
