Wed Feb 05 00:16:58 IST 2025: ## Delhi Heads to Polls in High-Stakes Assembly Elections

**New Delhi, February 7, 2025** – Delhi is bracing for a crucial assembly election today, with over 1.56 crore voters set to decide the fate of 699 candidates vying for 70 seats. Voting began at 7:00 AM across 13,766 polling stations. The election is considered a high-stakes contest, pitting the incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), seeking a third consecutive term, against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, both aiming for a comeback.

The election campaign saw vigorous campaigning from all three major parties, each promising a range of free services to Delhi residents. AAP, which won a landslide victory in 2020 with 62 seats, is aiming for a hat-trick. The BJP, which secured only eight seats last time, is confident of seizing power this year. Both AAP and BJP have fielded several candidates who switched parties.

The Election Commission has made special arrangements for differently-abled voters, designating 733 accessible polling stations. Concerns have been raised, however, about potential intimidation of voters. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met with the Election Commission on Tuesday, accusing the BJP and Delhi Police of “goondaism” and attempting to create an atmosphere of fear among voters. He alleged that BJP supporters might try to prevent voters from casting their ballots by marking their fingers with black ink. The BJP countered these claims, alleging that its councilor and workers were attacked in Laxmi Nagar. A case has been registered at the Laxmi Nagar Police station following allegations of assault by AAP workers.

To address concerns about irregularities, AAP deployed trained volunteers to monitor polling stations, verify details, and ensure the accuracy of vote counts, including monitoring EVM battery percentages. The Election Commission warned election officials against any partisan behavior.

Further allegations of electoral malpractice were made by AAP leader Sanjay Singh in the Rajya Sabha, claiming distribution of freebies and attempts to manipulate voter lists. Kejriwal also accused the Delhi Police of threatening an AAP candidate in the Bawana constituency.

In the run-up to the elections, authorities seized over ₹220 crore worth of assets, including cash, drugs, and precious metals, as part of efforts to curb electoral malpractices. The Delhi Police also reported seizing numerous illegal weapons and arresting hundreds in connection with violations of the model code of conduct.

Exit polls will be released by various news channels and survey agencies shortly after voting concludes. The results of the Delhi Assembly election will be announced on February 8th.

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