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Delhi Assembly election: 57.89% voters turn up, seal fate of 699 candidates

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People queue up to cast their vote in New Delhi. Tribune photo: Mukesh Aggarwal
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Delhi recorded 57.89 per cent voter turnout in the Assembly election on Wednesday amid charges of malpractices, including money distribution and fake voting, by both AAP and BJP who are engaged in an intense battle to decide who rules the National Capital.

The turnout is about five percentage points lower than the 2020 Assembly poll (62.59 per cent) when the Arvind Kejriwal-led party won 62 seat of the 70 seats, while the BJP got eight and the Congress zero.

Long queues of voters were witnessed outside polling stations in different constituencies since early morning, and there were people still waiting after the scheduled time of close at 6 pm.

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Exit poll results started coming in soon afterwards, with several of them predicting a victory for the BJP over the ruling AAP, while the Congress was projected to suffer yet another rout.

According to Delhi Chief Electoral officer, 57.89 per cent votes—there are 1.56 crore eligible voters—were polled by 5 pm. The percentage will go up as officials update the figures from all the 13,766 stations.

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“All 70 Assembly constituencies of Delhi went to polls today in a peaceful and festive atmosphere. Voters were delighted with the seamless polling process and facilities at the polling stations,” an official statement of ECI said. “All voters in the queue after formal closing hours of polling i.e. 6 pm are allowed to cast their vote,” the statement said.

Polling booths across the city daubed themselves with colours and hung posters of celebrities bearing special messages to give the voters an impression of a true festive spirit. One such poster bore the image of Lata Mangeshkar, while several others depicted paralympians.

A total of 699 candidates are engaged in a keen battle that would be decided whether the AAP comes to power in Delhi for a fourth term or the BJP gets a chance to form a government in the national capital after 27 years. The Congress also made all-out effort to regain its foothold in the city politics.

President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal were among the early voters.

After casting his vote at a polling booth in Moti Bagh, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said everyone has worked very hard for the smooth conduct of polls.

During the day, the Aam Aadmi Party and BJP indulged in an intense blame game, accusing each other of voting malpractices in different constituencies.

Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) told PTI around noon that the polling process was going on “smoothly”. Some EVMs were replaced during mock polls and actual voting also, the CEO said.

High drama unfolded in Seelampur when a BJP leader alleged that some people wearing burqas were attempting fraudulent voting. However, police denied any fake voting in the area. In Kasturba Nagar, police sources said two men allegedly attempted to vote fraudulently. They have been apprehended and were being interrogated, they said.

Following allegations of fake voting by the BJP in Seelampur, AAP workers resorted to sloganeering. The Delhi Police, however, dismissed the charges of fake voting, and said there was enough security deployment in the area including personnel from the paramilitary forces.

In Delhi’s Majnu-ka-Tilla, Pakistani Hindu refugees, who got Indian citizenship following implementation of Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, cast their votes for the first time in India.

First timers, elderly, transgenders and women enthusiastically exercised their franchise in the elections to form a new government.

At least six exit polls predicted a BJP victory, while two said the AAP would retain power. Two other polls showed a close contest between them, with an edge for the BJP.

AAP national spokesperson Reena Gupta rejected the exit poll results, saying the party will again form the government in Delhi and Arvind Kejriwal will become the chief minister fourth time in a row.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva asserted that party’s victory will be more spectacular then what the exit polls showed.

After casting his vote along with his family members, AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the people of Delhi to exercise their franchise for “good schools, hospitals and development of the city”.

Kejriwal, who is contesting from the New Delhi seat for the fourth time in a row, is pitted against the BJP’s Parvesh Verma and Congress’ Sandeep Dikshit, in a keen contest.

“My parents have health issues but they were very excited about voting since morning,” Kejriwal told reporters. His wife Sunita Kejriwal and son Pulkit Kejriwal also accompanied him to the polling station.

Hopefully people will vote for “those who work”, Kejriwal said. His wife Sunita Kejriwal said people are “very intelligent” and will make the right choice.

“They won’t tolerate hooliganism,” she said.

The BJP is making an aggressive push to reclaim Delhi after over 25 years, with its campaign focusing on issues like corruption, governance failures, and law and order. —with PTI

Voter turnout of some constituencies till 5 pm

February 5, 2025 5:44 pm

New Delhi: 54.27% Kalkaji: 51.81% Jangpura: 55.23% Greater Kailash: 52% Badli: 60.88% Bijawasan: 58 % Chandni Chowk: 52.76 % Dwarka: 59.39 % Karol Bagh: 47.40 %

Voter turnout of some important constituencies till 3 pm

February 5, 2025 3:49 pm

New Delhi: 44.83% Kalkaji: 41.17% Jangpura: 44.07% Greater Kailash: 41.62% Badli: 49.57% Bijawasan: 48.05 % Chandni Chowk: 39.64 % Dwarka: 348.50 % Karol bagh: 39.05 % Highest so far: Mustafabad: 56.12% -- Seelampur: 54.29%

Voting oxygen for democracy: V-P Dhankhar after casting vote

February 5, 2025 3:15 pm

"The basis of democracy is voting, and voting is the mother of all rights. There is no right above this," he said. Democracy holds meaning only when every person casts their vote judiciously and freely, he added. "India is an example for the world. (It is) the oldest democracy, the largest democracy, the strongest democracy, the most vibrant democracy, where change in power or stability in governance is evident only through voting," Dhankhar said.

Clash between AAP, BJP workers at Seelampur over ‘fake votes’

February 5, 2025 1:28 pm

A clash broke out between AAP and BJP workers at a polling booth in Seelampur constituency over alleged fake votes by burqa-clad women. Police have dispersed the crowd.

AAP resorting to fake voting, alleges BJP

February 5, 2025 12:47 pm

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged that Arvind Kejriwal and AAP were resorting to the use of fake voters. "According to my information, Delhi Police have caught some fake voters. I appeal to the people to be cautious of AAP's tactics," Sachdeva said. TNS

Heartwarming moment at Sarojini Nagar

February 5, 2025 12:36 pm

Shanti Rani Bhattacharya, 92, a resident of DDA flats in Sarojini Nagar, exercised her right to vote. TNS

Arvind Kejriwal, family vote

February 5, 2025 12:10 pm

Arvind Kejriwal and his family voted in the Delhi elections. TNS

AAP alleges irregularities

February 5, 2025 11:50 am

AAP alleged that the BJP was openly taking voters to a building adjacent to a booth in Jangpura and distributing money. "All this is being done under the supervision of Delhi Police and Election Commission," the party alleged. In a video, party workers can be seen protesting and raising slogans. Responding to the allegations, the District Election Officer (South-East) directed Delhi Police and Flying Squad teams to immediately reach the site and take action. TNS

AAP worker detained by police, alleges Sanjay Singh

February 5, 2025 11:36 am

AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh alleged that one of their party workers had been detained by Delhi Police. DCP (New Delhi) Devesh Mahla said the AAP party worker was detained as he was forcing people to come to the stall of a particular political party. TNS

First-time voters ecstatic

February 5, 2025 11:20 am

Many first-time voters in the Delhi polls were ecstatic on casting their vote. TNS

Voters receive saplings

February 5, 2025 11:06 am

People received saplings from the NDMC employees after they cast their vote. TNS

President Murmu votes in President's Estate

February 5, 2025 10:55 am

President Droupadi Murmu cast her vote for the Delhi Assembly polls on Wednesday. Murmu reached a polling booth in the President's Estate and voted around 9 am.

Devender Yadav casts his vote

February 5, 2025 10:40 am

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav cast his vote at Government Girls Senior Secondary school, Samaipur. TNS

Delhi going to be free of 'AAP-da': Sirsa

February 5, 2025 10:24 am

BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa cast his vote at MCD Co-Ed Primary School, Punjabi Bagh Extension. Later, he said, "The people of Delhi want a change. Delhi is going to be free from AAP-da.” TNS

Public in mood for a change: Jaishankar

February 5, 2025 10:23 am

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar voted at the NDMC School of Science and Humanities Education at Tughlak Crescent. "I am an early voter. I think the public is in the mood for a change," he told media outside the polling station.

Parvesh Verma casts his vote

February 5, 2025 10:21 am

BJP candidate from New Delhi constituency, Parvesh Verma, cast his vote at a polling booth in Nirman Bhawan. "In this Festival of Democracy, I appeal to each and every citizen of Delhi to cast their vote. Right to vote is the most powerful tool to shape the future of our city, our country and our lives," said Verma. TNS

Swati Maliwal casts her vote in Chandni Chowk

February 5, 2025 10:05 am

Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal cast her vote at a polling booth in Chandni Chowk. "I appeal to the people of Delhi to cast their vote. I have also voted for the development of Delhi," she said. TNS

Voter turnout at 9 am

February 5, 2025 9:57 am

New Delhi: 7.41% Patparganj: 8.7 % Rohini: 7.64 % Seelampur: 11.02% Kalkaji: 6.19% Malviya Nagar 6.73 % Rajouri Garden: 5.89%

This is a day of duty, not of ‘chhutti’: Saxena

February 5, 2025 9:53 am

L-G VK Saxena, after casting his vote, said: “This is a day of duty, not of ‘chhutti’ (holiday). Delhi is facing burning issues: garbage mountains and polluted Yamuna. The way voters are coming out I am hopeful they will.” keep these issues of governance in mind. TNS

Kharge’s appeal to voters

February 5, 2025 9:53 am

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said, "I appeal to the people of Delhi to cast their valuable vote. Your one vote will prove to be a symbol of change in Delhi." Kharge said if Delhi has to move forward on the path of development like before, then choose those people who have really worked for Delhi. TNS

Amit Shah issues appeal

February 5, 2025 9:50 am

Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to Delhiites "to vote against false promises, polluted Yamuna, liquor shops, broken roads and dirty water". "Today, vote in large numbers to form a government that has a strong track record of public welfare and a clear vision for the development of Delhi. Your one vote can make Delhi the most developed capital in the world," he said. TNS

Robert Vadra votes at Nirman Bhavan

February 5, 2025 9:49 am

Robert Vadra, the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Vadra, also voted early at Nirman Bhavan in Delhi where Sonia Gandhi will also vote. TNS

Rahul, Bansuri, Army chief, Manish Sisodia among early voters

February 5, 2025 9:49 am

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and Army chief Upendra Dwivedi were among early voters. Rahul Gandhi voted early at Nirman Bhavan and left for Patna. Manish Sisodia also arrived early with wife Seema Sisodia to exercise their franchise. Manish is contesting from Jangpura after changing his seat from Jangpura which he represented thrice. Army chief Upendra Dwivedi was also seen voting early, so did BJP ex-MP Ramesh Bidhuri and Congress women's wing president Alka Lamba. TNS

Delhi declares public holiday for elections, metro services adjusted

February 5, 2025 8:55 am

In a move to facilitate the smooth conduct of the Delhi Assembly elections on Wednesday, the Delhi government has declared a public holiday. The holiday applies to all government and private sector offices across the national capital. Additionally, to support election duties, Delhi Metro has announced special operating hours for today. The metro services on all lines started at 4 am from their terminal stations. IANS

Not just an election but a Dharam Yuddh: Atishi

February 5, 2025 8:53 am

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP candidate Atishi on Wednesday urged the voters to cast their ballot in the assembly polls that are under way in the national capital. In a post on X, Atishi asserted that the Delhi election is not just an election, but a "Dharam Yuddh". ANI

Double-engine government will be formed in Delhi: BJP's Virendraa Sachdeva

February 5, 2025 8:40 am

Delhi BJP president Virendraa Sachdeva cast his vote at a Mayur Vihar Phase 1 polling station under the Patparganj Assembly constituency. He exuded confidence in the BJP's win in the election, saying a double-engine government would be formed in Delhi. ANI

Sandeep Dikshit cast his vote in Jangpura

February 5, 2025 8:12 am

Congress candidate from the New Delhi constituency, Sandeep Dikshit, on Wednesday cast his vote in a polling booth in Jangpura. ANI

Over 30,000 police personnel, 220 companies of paramilitary forces deployed

February 5, 2025 8:08 am

Delhi is on high alert for the assembly polls on Wednesday as over 30,000 police personnel and 220 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed across the national capital for peaceful elections. PTI

You must cast your vote: PM Modi to voters

February 5, 2025 8:06 am

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters of Delhi that they must cast their valuable votes in the assembly elections being held on Wednesday. In a post on X, he especially greeted the first-time young voters. Do keep this in mind, he said, "Pahle matdaan, phir jalpaan" (First vote, have meal later). PTI

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