On poll day, capital covered under thick security blanket

NEW DELHI: As the election day drew to a close, Delhi Police said the force had taken adaquate measures to ensure smooth and peaceful polling during the Assembly elections in the national capital, a senior official said. Addressing the press at the Police Headquarters, Special Commissioner of Police Devesh Chandra Srivastava said all police officers and personnel were actively deployed on the ground to maintain law and order and the teams responded promptly to complaints alleging Model Code of Conduct violations. To facilitate the election process, police teams assisted senior citizens and specially-abled voters, he said adding that Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora personally monitored several polling booths. Another senior police official said all allegations of voter bribery and irregularities were promptly investigated by flying squad teams who thoroughly verified complaints and took requisite action to ensure free and fair elections. Nearly 3,000 polling booths were identified as sensitive, and special security arrangements, including drone surveillance, Quick Reaction Team, Striking Team and one company of Central Armed Police Force were deployed to maintain law and order.