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.

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The mock polling started at 6:00 am at multiple locations, including Mayur Vihar Phase 1 in the Patparganj Assembly constituency and Nirman Bhawan in the New Delhi Assembly constituency.

The official voting will take place today from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm for the 70 Assembly constituencies in Delhi. “I urge all Delhi residents to come forward and vote. We have made extensive arrangements at polling stations to make sure the process is comfortable for all voters,” said Delhi Chief Electoral Officer R Alice Vaz.

With 1,56,14,000 registered voters in total, Delhi’s electorate consists of 83,76,173 males, 72,36,560 females, and 1,267 third-gender voters. Additionally, 2,39,905 first-time voters aged 18-19, 1,09,368 senior citizens aged 85 and above, and 79,885 voters with disabilities are part of the electorate.

To ensure a smooth election process, over 97,955 personnel and 8,715 volunteers have been deployed across the city. Security measures include 220 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), 19,000 Home Guards, and 35,626 Delhi Police personnel, all dedicated to ensuring peaceful polling.

For greater inclusivity, 70 polling stations will be managed entirely by women, while another 70 will be run by persons with disabilities. Additionally, 70 stations have been set up to promote youth participation.

An AI-based Queue Management System app, “Delhi Election – 2025 QMS,” available on the Google Play Store, helps voters monitor real-time crowd levels at polling stations. Emergency medical teams will be available, and creche facilities are offered for parents with young children.

The polling stations will also be color-coded for easy identification, and voters can contact the helpline (1950) for assistance with booth locations and election-related queries.

Hotly contested constituencies include New Delhi, Jangpura, and Kalkaji. The AAP, which currently holds more than 60 seats in the 70-seat Delhi Assembly, seeks re-election based on its performance in previous terms.

The New Delhi seat features a high-profile three-way race between AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal, BJP’s Parvesh Verma, and Congress’s Sandeep Dikshit, the son of former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit.

In Kalkaji, incumbent Delhi Chief Minister Atishi (AAP) faces off against Congress’s Alka Lamba and BJP’s Ramesh Bidhuri. Meanwhile, Jangpura will see AAP’s Manish Sisodia contesting against Congress’s Farhad Suri and BJP’s Tarvinder Singh Marwah.

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The MLAs who attended the meeting include:

1. Naini Rajender Reddy
2. Bhoopathi Reddy
3. Yennam Srinivas Reddy
4. Murali Naik
5. Kuchakulla Rajesh Reddy
6. Sanjeev Reddy
7. Anirudh Reddy
8. Laxmi Kantha Rao
9. Donthi Madhava Reddy
10. Beerla Ilaiah

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, sensing growing unrest, is set to meet ministers at the Command Control Center to address the situation. Ponguleti, in response to the dissent, cancelled his Palair tour to attend the crucial meeting. In a strict directive, CM Reddy also ordered officials not to attend the ‘secret’ meeting, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.

The party high command is concerned that any further rebellion from MLAs could tarnish the party’s image ahead of the upcoming local body and MLC elections. CM Reddy has urged ministers to improve coordination with MLAs, prioritize their concerns, and address their recommendations.

However, Nagarkurnool MP Mallu Ravi downplayed the meeting, calling it just a dinner gathering and accusing opposition parties of exaggerating the issue. He clarified that the meeting took place at ITC Kohinoor and not a farmhouse, with the MLAs discussing a specific issue that required ministerial attention.

With Telangana gearing up for local body elections and MLC elections on February 27, the Congress party is in a delicate situation as it faces growing internal strife.

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He will address the gathering at the ‘Samvidhan Samman Sammelan’ organised in Ranchi , Jharkhand on saturday at 3:00 pm

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