Wed Feb 05 14:21:19 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Assembly Election Voting Concludes; Exit Polls Awaited

**New Delhi:** Voting concluded today in the Delhi Assembly elections, with 699 candidates vying for 70 seats. The fate of these candidates now rests with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), with results expected on February 8th. However, exit polls will be released later this evening, offering a glimpse into potential outcomes before the official results.

The incumbent Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), currently led by Chief Minister Atishi, has held power since 2013, winning consecutive elections in 2013, 2015, and 2020 under Arvind Kejriwal’s leadership. However, Kejriwal’s recent involvement in a money laundering case related to a liquor scam led to his imprisonment in March 2024. Upon his release on bail in September, he stepped down as Chief Minister, paving the way for Atishi’s appointment.

AAP faces stiff competition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). While AAP aims to retain its stronghold, BJP, which last won in Delhi in 1993, and Congress, last victorious in 2008 under Sheila Dikshit’s leadership, are striving for a comeback. This election is considered crucial for AAP, with BJP and Congress putting up a strong challenge. Approximately 1.56 crore voters participated in the election, casting their votes between 7 am and 6 pm.

High-profile contests are anticipated in several constituencies, including those featuring prominent leaders like Arvind Kejriwal, Atishi, and others. The New Delhi constituency, in particular, is witnessing a three-cornered contest between Kejriwal (AAP), Pravesh Verma (BJP), and Sandeep Dikshit (Congress). Other keenly-watched seats include Patparganj, Rohini, Kalkaji, and Jangpura.

Exit polls, conducted by various agencies after voting concludes, will offer preliminary projections based on surveys of voters leaving polling booths. These polls, however, are subject to guidelines stipulated under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which prohibits the release of results until after the conclusion of voting. Violation of these regulations carries penalties of up to two years imprisonment, fines, or both.

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