No Reason To Think Situation Not Conducive: Delhi Poll Panel On Elections

There is no reason to believe that the situation in Delhi is not conducive to hold polls, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ranbir Singh said on Tuesday, asserting that authorities would make adequate arrangements to ensure a peaceful election next month.

Mr Singh was responding to a question on whether the security situation in Delhi in the backdrop of violence at the Jawaharlal Nehru University and the protests against the contentious citizenship law and NRC was conducive to hold polls.

"There is no reason to believe that environment in the national capital is not conducive to hold polls. Delhi Police will make all the arrangements to ensure peace and tranquillity across the city," the CEO told reporters.

"Later, what is the situation and whether it is conducive or not, is the prerogative of the Election Commission to decide. But, situation is fine now," Mr Singh added.

A masked mob went on a rampage in the JNU campus in south Delhi on Sunday evening, assaulting students and teachers with sticks and iron rods, leaving over 35 injured and sparking a massive outrage across the country.

In December, there was violence in Seelampur and near Jamia Millia Islamia following protests over the amended Citizenship Act.

The election to the 70-member Delhi Assembly was announced by the Election Commission on Monday, bringing into force the model code of conduct.

Over 1.46 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the February 8 election, according to the final electoral roll published.

There are a total of 1,46,92,136 voters -- 80,55,686 males, 66,35,635 females and 815 belonging to third gender -- in the final voters' list.

The notification for the polls will be issued next Tuesday, while the last date of withdrawal of candidates' names will be January 24, Singh had said.

With the issuance of the notification, the nomination process will commence.