Wed Feb 05 01:51:47 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Votes Today in High-Stakes Assembly Elections
**New Delhi, February 5** – Delhiites are heading to the polls today in a closely contested state assembly election, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vying for a decisive victory. Voting began at 7 am across 13,766 polling stations in all 70 constituencies, with 699 candidates in the running. The Congress party, though trailing in opinion polls, is also contesting.
The election is considered a direct fight between AAP, seeking a third consecutive term, and the BJP, which has been out of power in Delhi for over 25 years. The Congress, absent from power since 2013, also hopes to regain a foothold.
Key campaign issues included the Yamuna river’s pollution, corruption allegations, and the condition of roads. Over 200 companies of paramilitary forces and more than 35,000 Delhi Police personnel have been deployed to ensure a peaceful voting process, with heightened security at approximately 3,000 sensitive polling stations. Drone surveillance is also being utilized.
BJP candidate from New Delhi constituency, Pravesh Verma, visited the Yamuna Ghat earlier today to offer prayers, highlighting the river’s pollution as a key concern. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva also cast his vote early this morning.
Meanwhile, pre-election activities included AAP’s former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia visiting a temple for prayers. Reports emerged of two individuals allegedly linked to the Chief Minister’s Office being apprehended with ₹5 lakh in cash, raising concerns about potential vote-buying. Further, police detained five individuals attempting to influence the election, and another individual falsely claimed his finger was inked before the elections, revealing himself to be intoxicated and an habitual offender.
The Election Commission has taken substantial security measures to ensure a fair and transparent election. The results will be announced on February 8th.
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