By Radiance News Bureau
New Delhi: A day before the Delhi Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, along with Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and MP Raghav Chadha, met with the Election Commission to protest what he called the BJP’s blatant misuse of the Delhi Police to manipulate the polls through intimidation tactics. He demanded immediate action against those responsible and urged the Commission to ensure a free and fair election process.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Kejriwal said that the Election Commission had assured them of strict enforcement of the model code of conduct and measures to prevent any violations.
“We have just returned from a meeting with the Election Commission. Normally, they do not meet anyone during the silent period, but today, they made an exception for us. We are grateful to the Election Commission for this,” Kejriwal stated.
During the discussion, Kejriwal highlighted multiple incidents of violence and hooliganism across different parts of Delhi. He alleged that the Delhi Police was being misused to enable such activities and provided concrete examples to substantiate his claims. “We explained how the BJP is orchestrating these acts and using the police to intimidate voters. The Election Commission has assured us that strict action will be taken, and all necessary steps will be implemented to ensure a free and fair election,” he said.
Kejriwal also raised concerns about large-scale voter suppression, stating that due to the fear created by these intimidation tactics—including police-backed and BJP-sponsored threats—many voters might be too afraid to step out and cast their ballots. He emphasized that the Election Commission had assured them of measures to make voters feel safe and secure while exercising their democratic rights.
Furthermore, Kejriwal expressed apprehensions regarding potential electoral malpractices, including voter bribery, coercion, and attempts to prevent people from voting by forcibly marking their fingers with black ink. “There is a real possibility that voters could be bribed, threatened, or even tricked into being marked with black ink on their fingers to stop them from voting tomorrow. The Election Commission has assured us that they will take appropriate steps to prevent such misconduct,” he added.
With just hours left before the polling begins, AAP has urged the Election Commission to act decisively to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that voters can exercise their rights without fear.
