Delhi polls: Election Commission starts monitoring press conferences

NEW DELHI: With the Delhi Assembly poll campaign generating much heat, the Election Commission has begun keeping a close watch on activities of political parties and even their press conferences are under direct scanner.

The move is aimed at keeping the poll watchdog abreast itself of the developments amid allegations and counter allegations are being levelled by the political parties.

"We have started sending our representatives to press conferences, rallies and public meetings that are being organised by political parties as a part of the drill. All such events are also being recorded," Delhi's Chief Electoral officer Chandra Bhushan Kumar said.

"The idea is that when someone complains, we also have evidence with us to verify the allegations," he added.

Apart from that, the idea is to keep a check on political parties and see if they are violating the Model Code of Conduct, another senior officer said.

The fact that EC representative have started attending press conferences became clear at the AIIC briefing here today.

Congress general secretary Ajay Maken, while welcoming media persons, said the party has been told that a Election Commission representative would also be attending briefings from today.

Delhi elections have seen trading of charges and counter charges among rival parties.

The monitoring of briefings by parties will help the EC in keeping a tab on claims and allegations levelled by them and take quick action if they are in violation of the code of conduct.

Delhi will have Assembly polls on February 7 and counting of votes will be done on February 10.