Wed Feb 05 10:00:33 IST 2025: ## Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP Seeks Third Term Amidst High-Stakes Voting

**New Delhi, February 5, 2025** – Voting is underway in the high-stakes Delhi Assembly elections, with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) aiming for a third consecutive term. Over 1.56 crore eligible voters are casting their ballots at 13,766 polling stations across 70 constituencies. The election pits AAP against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, with 699 candidates vying for seats.

Security is tight, with 220 companies of paramilitary forces, 35,626 Delhi Police personnel, and 19,000 home guards deployed. Nearly 3,000 polling booths are designated as sensitive, with enhanced security measures including drone surveillance. A Queue Management System (QMS) app has been introduced to help manage voter lines.

The election is largely seen as a referendum on AAP’s governance under Arvind Kejriwal, with their focus on welfare schemes. The BJP, aiming to reclaim the capital after over two decades, and the Congress, hoping for a comeback after consecutive election defeats, are also actively contesting.

The campaign period was marked by intense campaigning, featuring aggressive rhetoric, AI-generated content, and debates on key issues such as governance, law and order, women’s welfare, the Sheesh Mahal controversy, and Yamuna river pollution. The prominence of freebie promises also characterized the pre-election discourse.

Voter turnout is expected to be crucial. While the 2020 assembly polls saw a 62.59% turnout, the 2024 Lok Sabha elections recorded only 56%. Polling continues until 6 p.m. today, with results expected on February 8th. The outcome will significantly impact Delhi’s political landscape.

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