Wed Feb 05 08:36:46 IST 2025: ## Delhi Votes in High-Stakes Assembly Elections

**New Delhi, February 5, 2025** – Delhiites are heading to the polls today in a crucial assembly election, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) locked in a fierce contest. Voting began at 7:00 AM across all 70 constituencies and will continue throughout the day. A total of 13,766 polling stations are operational, with 699 candidates vying for seats.

The election is considered a direct contest between the AAP, seeking a third consecutive term, and the BJP, which aims to return to power after over two decades in opposition. The Congress party is also contesting, hoping to regain lost ground.

Key election issues include the polluted Yamuna river, corruption, and poor road conditions. Security is tight, with over 200 companies of paramilitary forces and more than 35,000 Delhi Police personnel deployed, particularly focusing on the approximately 3,000 sensitive polling stations. Drone surveillance is also being utilized.

Prominent figures from across the political spectrum have already cast their votes, including BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. Early voter Muskan Garg stressed the importance of civic duty, urging greater participation.

However, the day hasn’t been without incident. Reports emerged of late-night campaigning violations, resulting in an FIR being filed. Allegations of vote-buying have also surfaced, with the BJP accusing AAP of attempting to bribe voters in the Kalkaji constituency; Delhi Police have arrested two individuals linked to the Chief Minister’s office with ₹500,000 in cash. Further, an independent MP claimed that AAP has conceded defeat morally.

Despite these controversies, the election process is underway, with long queues reported at several polling stations. The outcome of the election, which will decide the next government of Delhi, is eagerly awaited. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to participate enthusiastically in the democratic process.

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