Tue Feb 04 21:21:19 IST 2025: ## Delhi Poised for High-Stakes Assembly Elections

**New Delhi, February 7** – Delhi is set to hold its Assembly elections tomorrow, with over 1.56 crore voters set to choose their representatives from among 699 candidates contesting for 70 seats. The election is considered a high-stakes battle between the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which won a landslide victory in 2020, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aiming for a change in power. The Congress party is also contesting, though it failed to win any seats in the previous election.

Thirteen thousand seven hundred and sixty-six polling stations have been set up across the city, with special arrangements for over 733 polling stations designated for differently-abled voters. The Election Commission has issued a stern warning against any biased conduct affecting equal opportunity.

The campaign period witnessed aggressive campaigning by all three major parties, each promising various freebies and welfare schemes. Both AAP and BJP have fielded a significant number of candidates who switched allegiance from other parties.

Concerns have been raised regarding alleged intimidation tactics. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal contacted the Election Commission citing concerns about intimidation, prompting the EC to issue fresh instructions to its officials. Sanjay Singh, another AAP leader, alleged irregularities, including voter suppression and distribution of freebies to influence voters. He also claimed that there has been an unexplained increase in voter numbers at the homes of some BJP leaders. Kejriwal also accused the Delhi Police of threatening an AAP candidate.

The Election Commission reported receiving over 7,500 complaints via the C-Vigil app, with most resolved. Law enforcement agencies have seized over ₹11.36 crore in cash and 37.39 kg of silver, part of a larger seizure of over ₹220 crore, including narcotics and precious metals. Police have also increased vigilance at border checkpoints, arresting 491 individuals and confiscating numerous weapons and ammunition in the process. A total of 1,076 cases of violation of the model code of conduct have been registered, with 34,250 arrests or detentions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while not naming Kejriwal directly, criticized the lavish renovation of Kejriwal’s former official residence, “Sheesh Mahal,” contrasting it with the government’s focus on public welfare projects.

Exit polls will be released shortly after voting concludes on Wednesday, with the official results announced on February 8th. The 2020 election saw AAP securing 62 seats, BJP 8, and Congress drawing a blank.

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