No Delhi-specific schemes in Union Budget, MCC in force: EC 

To ensure free and fair polls in Delhi, the Election Commission, while announcing the date of Assembly elections on Monday, said that the Centre would not declare any state-specific schemes in the upcoming Union Budget. 

While the elections will be held on February 8, counting of votes will be carried out on February 11.

Addressing a press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said, "Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into effect immediately with the announcement of Delhi Assembly election schedule, and no state-specific schemes will be announced in the General Budget."

Aroa further said, "All the provisions of the model code will apply to the whole of NCT of Delhi with regard to all candidates, political parties and the government of the said UT (Union Territory). The Model Code of Conduct shall also be applicable to the Union Government in so far as announcements or policy decisions pertaining to or for the NCT of Delhi."

He said that the Commission has made elaborate arrangements for ensuring effective implementation of the MCC guidelines and any violations of these guidelines would be strictly dealt with.

The Commission has also issued instructions for swift, effective and stringent action for enforcement of MCC during the first 72 hours of the announcement of the election schedule and also for maintaining extra vigilance and strict enforcement action in the last 72 hours prior to the close of polls.

"Instructions have been issued in the form of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for compliance by the field election machinery," CEC said.