Delhi Assembly Elections Begin Amid Tight Security Measures
New Delhi [India], February 5: Polling for the 70 Delhi Assembly seats commenced early this morning, with voters casting their ballots in the 8th Assembly elections, amidst strict security protocols to ensure smooth voting.
Voting began at 7:00 am and will continue until 6:00 pm, with officials making special arrangements to facilitate a peaceful process. Delhi has 1,56,14,000 registered voters, including 83,76,173 males, 72,36,560 females, and 1,267 third-gender voters. Additionally, there are 2,39,905 first-time voters aged 18-19, 1,09,368 elderly voters aged 85 and above, and 79,885 voters with disabilities.
To support the election, a total of 97,955 personnel and 8,715 volunteers have been deployed. Security is being reinforced by 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 19,000 Home Guards, and 35,626 Delhi Police personnel.
In an effort to promote inclusivity, 70 polling stations will be managed exclusively by female staff, while another 70 will be operated entirely by persons with disabilities. Additionally, 70 stations have been designated to encourage youth participation. Voters can also track crowd levels in real-time through the “Delhi Election – 2025 QMS” app, available on Google Play Store. Medical teams and creche facilities will be on-site to cater to emergency needs and parents with children.
To further assist voters, polling stations are color-coded for easy identification, and a helpline number (1950) has been set up to resolve any election-related queries.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is striving for a third consecutive term, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is making a strong effort to regain control. The BJP’s campaign, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has targeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on issues such as Yamuna water pollution and corruption. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have also held rallies, accusing AAP of damaging Delhi’s infrastructure.
On the eve of voting, Chief Electoral Officer R Alice Vaz appealed to all eligible voters, urging them to participate in the democratic process: “I encourage everyone to come out and vote; it is both a right and a responsibility.”
However, the silent period preceding the election was marked by some controversy. The BJP filed a complaint alleging that AAP workers were causing disturbances and could potentially influence voters. A social media video showing an AAP worker holding a weapon was also widely circulated, sparking concerns.
Prominent Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sandeep Dikshit, were seen casting their votes at various polling stations. Union Minister Hardeep Puri and BJP leader Lakshmi Puri also participated in the voting process.
In a related development, AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Atishi met with the Election Commissioner to discuss concerns over violence and hooliganism during the silent period.
Contested constituencies such as New Delhi, Jangpura, and Kalkaji are drawing significant attention. AAP currently holds more than 60 of the 70 assembly seats and is seeking re-election based on its performance.
The New Delhi seat is set for a high-profile three-way contest between AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, BJP’s Parvesh Verma, and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit. In Kalkaji, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi (AAP) faces competition from Congress’s Alka Lamba and BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri. Meanwhile, the Jangpura constituency features a battle between AAP’s Manish Sisodia, Congress’s Farhad Suri, and BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah.
