Polling for all 70 assembly seats in Delhi began on Wednesday morning, marking the start of a high-stakes electoral battle between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress. Voters across the capital queued up at polling stations amid tight security to cast their votes in the 8th Delhi Assembly elections.
According to election officials, polling commenced at 7:00 AM and will continue till 6:00 PM. The electorate comprises 1.56 crore registered voters, including 83.76 lakh men, 72.36 lakh women, and 1,267 third-gender voters. Notably, there are 2.39 lakh first-time voters (aged 18-19), 1.09 lakh elderly voters (85+), and 79,885 persons with disabilities.
Tight Security and Special Arrangements
To ensure peaceful voting, a massive security deployment has been made across the capital, with:
- 97,955 polling personnel
- 8,715 election volunteers
- 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)
- 19,000 Home Guards
- 35,626 Delhi Police personnel
As part of an initiative to promote inclusive and accessible voting, officials have set up:
- 70 women-managed polling stations
- 70 polling stations run by persons with disabilities
- 70 polling booths dedicated to youth participation
Additionally, voters can use the AI-based Queue Management System via the app “Delhi Election – 2025 QMS” to monitor real-time crowd levels at polling stations. Medical teams and creche facilities have also been arranged for voter convenience.
High-Stakes Electoral Battle
This election is seen as a crucial test for Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP, which is eyeing a third consecutive term in power. The BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has launched an aggressive campaign to reclaim Delhi, focusing on issues like the Yamuna water crisis and corruption allegations against AAP. Meanwhile, the Congress, led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is trying to make a comeback, accusing AAP of failing to maintain Delhi’s infrastructure.
On the eve of polling, Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) R Alice Vaz urged voters to exercise their democratic right:
“On the day of voting, February 5th, I urge all voters in Delhi to come out in large numbers and cast their vote. It is our foremost responsibility as citizens to participate in this democratic process.”
Election Controversies and Allegations
Despite a 48-hour silent period, political tensions ran high. On Tuesday, the BJP lodged a formal complaint against AAP, alleging that:
- AAP workers were creating nuisance across multiple constituencies at night to influence voters.
- A social media video allegedly showed an AAP worker holding a firearm in Mehrauli, creating panic.
Separately, an FIR was registered in Haryana against Arvind Kejriwal over his statements regarding the Yamuna water crisis and allegations against the Haryana government.
Key Contesting Leaders and Constituencies
Some of Delhi’s most-watched electoral battles include:
- New Delhi Seat: A high-profile contest between CM Arvind Kejriwal (AAP), Parvesh Verma (BJP), and Sandeep Dikshit (Congress).
- Kalkaji Seat: AAP’s Atishi faces Congress’s Alka Lamba and BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri.
- Jangpura Seat: AAP’s Manish Sisodia takes on Congress’s Farhad Suri and BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah.
Prominent Leaders Casting Their Votes
Several senior political figures will cast their votes today, including:
- Rahul Gandhi (Nirwan Bhawan, 8:15 AM)
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Atal School, 11:00 AM)
- Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav (Samaipur, 10:00 AM)
- Ajay Maken (Rajouri Garden, 9:00 AM)
- Alka Lamba (Kalkaji, 9:00 AM)
- Union Minister Hardeep Puri and wife Lakshmi Puri (Anand Niketan, Moti Bagh)
Final Countdown to Results
With AAP currently holding over 60 seats, all eyes are on the February 8 counting day to see whether Kejriwal secures a third term, the BJP stages an upset, or the Congress regains lost ground.