A day before the Delhi Assembly elections, the Election Commission on Tuesday took cognizance of “repeated deliberate pressure tactics to malign ECI”, saying it will not be swayed by “such insinuations”. The Election Commission issued a statement on X platform, addressing the ongoing efforts to undermine its credibility. This comes after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal accused the Election Commission of biased and unprofessional behaviour in handling the election related issues.

“The three-member Commission collectively noted repeated deliberate pressure tactics to malign ECI in the Delhi Elections, as if it is a single-member body and decided to have constitutional restraint, absorbing such outbursts with sagacity, stoically and not to be swayed by such insinuations,” the Election Commission wrote on X, without naming AAP or Kejriwal.

“Action on issues raised by political parties & candidates are taken in each instance by over 1.5 lakh officials in #DelhiAssemblyElection2025 who are functioning within an established legal framework, robust processes & SoPs ensuring fair play and non-partisan conduct,” it added.

The poll body also warned its poll machinery in Delhi that any partisan conduct disturbing a level playing field will be held “unpardonable”. The poll panel’s fresh directions to its officials came after AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal approached the EC to raise concerns over alleged intimidation tactics being used in Delhi ahead of the Assembly elections scheduled on Wednesday. Kejriwal, along with Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, met the EC in the evening on Tuesday and raised concerns over alleged intimidation tactics being used in the national capital ahead of the assembly polls.

 Talking to the media after the meeting, Kejriwal, accompanied by party leader Raghav Chadha, accused the BJP and Delhi Police of engaging in “hooliganism” to create an atmosphere of fear among voters. “We told the EC how Delhi Police is being misused for violence and intimidation. Many people are scared, and it is possible that they may not come out to vote due to fear,” he said. The former chief minister also alleged that attempts were being made to suppress voter turnout, particularly among slum dwellers.

 â€œThere are reports that people’s fingers are being marked with black ink in an attempt to disenfranchise them, and that money and threats are being used to influence voters. We raised these concerns with the EC,” Kejriwal said. He thanked the EC for granting them a meeting despite the silence period and said that officials have assured them of a free and fair election. “The EC has assured us that they will take necessary steps to prevent any such wrongdoing.”

Earlier Delhi Chief Minister Atishi accused the BJP of engaging in “hooliganism” and alleged the Election Commission and Delhi Police are shielding saffron party workers, while targeting AAP leaders and members. Atishi, who is contesting from the Kalkaji constituency, claimed at a press conference here that democracy in India was now in the hands of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and the country is watching “if it survives in the national capital”.

“The BJP is openly engaging in hooliganism. But instead of taking action against them, Delhi Police is protecting them, while the Election Commission is filing cases against those who are raising complaints,” she said.

Kejriwal on Monday claimed the Election Commission had surrendered before the BJP. The former Delhi chief minister asked the top election officer to “do your duty” and “give up the desire” for the post. “Today the way the Election Commission has surrendered before the Bharatiya Janata Party, it seems as if the Election Commission does not exist. This is raising a very big question. It is justified for people to have questions in their minds that Rajiv Kumar Ji, who is the Chief Election Commissioner, is retiring at the end of this month. What kind of post has been offered to him post-retirement? The post of governor, the post of president, what kind of post can it be?” AAP chief said at a press conference. “I request Rajiv Kumar Ji with folded hands. Do your duty, give up the desire for the post, give up the greed for the post. Now at the end of your career, do not destroy the country, the country’s democracy,” he added.

Kejriwal had alleged that Kumar is not taking action against the BJP to bag a post-retirement assignment. Kumar demits office on February 18 on attaining the age of 65 years. Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu are the other election commissioners.

Earlier this month, the poll panel sought an explanation from Kejriwal over his remark that the BJP government in Haryana had been poisoning the Yamuna water supply to Delhi. In his reply to the poll panel, the former Delhi chief minister said he made the comments in the context of an “urgent public health crisis” over drinking water quality in the national capital.