NEARLY 100K BOTTLES OF LIQUOR SEIZED AFTER POLL CODE CAME INTO FORCE

NEW DELHI: With the finalisation of the list of 1,349 candidates contesting the upcoming Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls, the state election commission (SEC) has initiated the next crucial phase of the electoral process, which includes training of polling personnel, printing of ballot papers and further tightening the enforcement of model code of conduct, which came into force on November 7.

Enforcement teams have so far removed 1,067,424 illegal banners, posters and hoardings while security personnel have seized 72kg of narcotics and drugs, along with 96,085 liquor bottles as on November 20. “At least 2,738 pieces of illegal liquor were seized on Monday, which has taken the overall seizure figure to 96,085 bottles of illegal liquor,” the official said. The 24 enforcement teams deployed by MCD removed 33,076 illegal banners, posters and hoardings on Tuesday, mostly from the south, west and Najafagarh zone.

SEC has launched a helpline number, 011-23999999, where people can complain about use of loudspeakers for campaigning between 10pm and 6am. “As many as 6,731 applications seeking permission for holding rallies by contesting candidates and use of vehicles and loudspeaker have been disposed of by the commission through the online single window system portal,” the official said.

“Taking the process forward, we will now lay emphasis on providing training to poll personnel. We have started the first round of training of polling parities, which will last till November 24, while the second and third rounds of training will be conducted between November 28 and December. The training sessions are being conducted by the master trainers already deployed with all returning officers,” said an SEC official on Tuesday.

Polling will be held on December 4 and as many as 100,000 government employees will help in conducting the election.