Officials on Election Duty seen carrying EVM and other Election related materials to their designated polling booths, ahead of the voting for the Delhi Assembly Elections in New Delhi on January 4, 2025.
| Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy
Over 1.56 crore electors are set to seal the fate of the Delhi Assembly polls as all 70 Assembly constituencies will vote in a single phase on Wednesday from 7 a.m. onwards with a total of 13,766 polling stations set up at 2,696 polling locations.
There are 699 candidates in the fray, with the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress fielding 70 candidates each, while the Bharatiya Janata Party has fielded 68 candidates, giving two seats to its allies — JD(U) and LJP. In the national capital’s seat of power — New Delhi constituency — where AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is fighting to retain his seat, the BJP and Congress have fielded sons of former Chief Ministers Parvesh Sahib Singh and Sandeep Dikshit, respectively.
Meanwhile, incumbent Chief Minister Atishi will be contesting against former MP Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress’s Alka Lamba in Kalkaji. Delhi Police registered an FIR against Ms. Atishi, the AAP candidate for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The police also took legal action against BJP candidate Ramesh Bidhuri’s relative, Manish Bidhuri, for “roaming” around Kalkaji area, despite not being a voter.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who is contesting from Jangpura, after vacating his seat in Patparganj will also see a close contest by the BJP and Congress’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah and Farhad Suri, respectively.
Two AIMIM candidates are also contesting the elections from jail, Tahir Hussain from Mustafabad and Shifa Ur Rehman from Okhla.
During the Delhi Assembly polls in 2020, and 2015, the AAP had recorded the majority winning 62 and 67 seats respectively, while the Congress registered zero seats and BJP became the primary Opposition party. The AAP is eyeing a third term, while the BJP is hoping to form a government in Delhi after 28 years and the Congress is looking to re-enter the city’s Assembly. The voter turnout in 2020 for the polls was 62.59%, while in 2015, the voter turnout was 67.47%.
Delhi Chief Electoral Officer R. Alice Vaz has urged all eligible voters to participate in large numbers on polling day. Approximately, 97,955 personnel and 8,715 volunteers have been deployed on the ground along with CAPF, Home Guards and Delhi Police personnel.
All polling booths will be monitored closely on Wednesday, the Delhi CEO said, adding that all polling booths will have cameras and there will be 100% webcasting.
The Delhi CEO has also set up 70 polling stations, one in each Assembly constituency, managed exclusively by women and persons with disabilities staffers. A total of 70 polling stations across Delhi will be specially set up to encourage youth participation and engagement in the electoral process.
To ensure a smooth and comfortable voting experience, comprehensive arrangements have been made at all polling stations under the Assured Minimum Facility policy. “Proper arrangements for drinking water, toilets, wheelchairs, and ramps for the disabled are in place. We aim to provide all necessary facilities so that voters face no inconvenience at any polling station,” Ms. Vaz added.
Meanwhile, over 7,000 senior citizens and persons with disabilities, availed the home voting facilities in the capital. According to the Delhi CEO, since the enforcement of the MCC, 7,499 complaints have been received through cVigil. Out of these, 7,467 complaints have been successfully resolved. The Election Commission has deployed over 1.8 lakh personnel and over ₹220 crore worth of seizures of cash, liquor, drugs, freebies, precious metals, etc., have been recorded.
Published – February 04, 2025 10:25 pm IST