Tue Feb 04 16:55:36 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Assembly Elections: Over 1.56 Crore Electors to Decide Fate of 699 Candidates
**New Delhi, February 4, 2025** – Delhiites are heading to the polls tomorrow, February 5th, in a single-phase election to determine the next Delhi Assembly. Over 1.56 crore electors will cast their votes across 70 constituencies at 13,766 polling stations. A total of 699 candidates are vying for seats, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fielding 70, 70, and 68 candidates respectively. Two seats have been allotted to BJP allies, JD(U) and LJP.
The election is particularly noteworthy for several high-profile contests. AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal is defending his New Delhi seat against BJP’s Parvesh Sahib Singh and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit. Incumbent Chief Minister Atishi is facing a challenge from BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress’s Alka Lamba in Kalkaji. Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is contesting from Jangpura. Two AIMIM candidates are even contesting from jail.
The election is crucial for all three major parties: AAP aims for a third term, BJP hopes to form a government after a 28-year absence, and Congress seeks a comeback. The 2020 election saw AAP win a majority with 62 seats, while the 2015 election saw AAP win 67 seats. Congress secured zero seats in both elections.
The Election Commission has implemented robust security measures, including 100% webcasting of all polling booths, deployment of over 1.8 lakh personnel, and seizures exceeding ₹220 crore worth of illegal items. Special arrangements are in place for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and youth participation, including 70 all-women and disability-staffed polling stations. Over 7,000 senior citizens have already availed home voting facilities. The Delhi CEO has urged for high voter turnout, aiming to surpass the 62.59% recorded in 2020 and 67.47% in 2015. The commission has also addressed 7,467 out of 7,499 complaints received through cVigil.
First Piper 